As Liberia is the first ECOWAS member state to sign the facilitate MoU and is therefore first in line for the delivery of the boats next year.
The Delegation of the European Union to Liberia yesterday hosted the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Liberia and the Camoes-Portuguese Institute for Cooperation and Language I.P. in the context of the EU-funded regional program with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Security (SWAIMS).
For the past four years, ECOWAS has been working toward strengthening the maritime security of its member states through the EU-funded Support for West African Integrated Maritime Security (SWAIMS) program.
With a budget of 28 million euros (close to 30 million USD), SWAIMS is the largest initiative on maritime security in the ECOWAS region. The program provides material support to the 12 ECOWAS coastal member states, as well as training and legal strengthening for all 15 ECOWAS member states including the three landlocked countries plus Mauritania.
Making her remark, ECOWAS Representative, Ms. Irene Wallace said, the ECOWAS Commission has been working with the European Union on the formulation of the SWAIMS project since 2016. After the delays occasioned by the pandemic according to her, it is gratifying to see the delivery of the RHIBS, the most significant component in material terms, finally taking shape.
Madam Irene noted that under the aforementioned component of SWAIMS, a High-Level Seminar was held in Abuja-Nigeria from April 4-5, 2022, facilitating an understanding between Camoes Institute and 12 ECOWAS Coastal member states, including Liberia of the delivery of at least 2 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBS) and forensic material kits to the Country’s Coast Guard. according to the ECOWAS Representative, this would aid in significant enhancement of the Liberian Coast Guard’s patrol capabilities and response to threats and the ultimate achievement of a safer maritime domain.
“The training offered by Camoes Institute, a Maritime Surveillance Exercise (MASUREX22), took place over the course of 3 days (June 20-22) and brought together a group of agencies, namely the Liberian Coast Guard, Liberian Maritime Authority, and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority to help raise competencies. A practical session was undertaken involving an inspection mission by representatives of all agencies in the inshore waters close to Monrovia and resulted in the boarding of a suspect vessel, Ms. Irene announced.
The ECOWAS representative said they note that the officer who will be seconded to the MMCC F in Accra-Ghana has been nominated. Adding that the ECOWAS Commission continues to be committed to the security of the member states and welcomes more cooperation with the EU in achieving Maritime Security for the entire GoG Region.
Speaking on behalf of the European Union in Liberia, Amb. Laurent Delahousse acknowledged that the MoU is of the essence, noting that it is a very strong example of cooperation between Africa and Europe, ECOWAS, Portugal, and Liberia. He added that the purpose of the MoU is very important for maritime security linking it to the situation in the Gulf of Guinea is really critical in the last few months, and noted that all partners’ hands are on desk to solve the situation there. Amb. Delahousse expressed that the EU does not only work with their Bilateral friends (Liberia) but also through regional programs of which the Camoes I.P Security system is one.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of National Defence, Minister of Defence of Liberia, Maj. Gen. Daniel Dee Ziankahn, Jr. (Rtd) expressed that piracy is a serious problem in the Gulf of Guinea, noting that the boats and other equipment provided under the MoU will help in safeguarding the waters of ECOWAS States especially Liberia waters. He pledged his ministry support by providing operational security to safeguard those who will carry out the program. Minister Ziankahn said the Ministry of National Defence supports making sure that the maintenance of the boats and other equipment is paramount to them.
At the same signing ceremony, the President of the Camoes I.P. Amb. Joao Ribeiro de Almeida welcome the idea of the collaboration, saying that the MoU is in the best interest of all parties. the president promised through his group to provide the best security on the sea and the rule of law between ECOWAS member states and the EU.
Expressing thanks and appreciation to the European Union for their role in making Liberia as part of the nations benefiting from the EU financial support of 2.8 million euros for the SAIMS’ project which aims at improving maritime security and safety as well as strengthening the legal, governance, and law enforcement frameworks to better support maritime security across the region, the representative of Finance and Development Planning Atty. Martus Bangalu said the Gulf of Guinea is an important carriage zone for the transport of goods international fishing, and oil and gas. Atty. Martus acknowledges that a long-term response is needed to combat the root causes of maritime crimes. “The institutionalization of regional cooperation and the increase in the number of international initiatives like the SWAIMS project is welcomed.”
According to Atty. Bangalu, the initiative will contribute to the strengthening of maritime law enforcement through better equipment and professionalization of the enforcement bodies, and increase their capacity in technology and intelligence networks to monitor all activities in their exclusive economic zones.
Under the largest SWAIMS component, implemented by the Camoes I.P., the capacities of the Liberian Coast Guard and related entities, to carry out patrolling and evidence collection at sea, will be strengthened with the supply of rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) and relevant training of its personnel. Liberia will be the first ECOWAS member state to sign the facilitate MoU and is therefore first in line for the delivery of the boats next year.
