Securing the Maritime Space in the Gulf of Guinea

The FES/ICC conference provided an opportunity for the international experts to stress on holistic security strategies on maritime trade, development, security architecture, comparative maritime security approaches, socio-economic approaches, sustainable management of natural resources and the protection of local populations in the Gulf of Guinea.

Experts invited to the conference by the FES were concerned about socio-economic strategies for social justice and inclusive participation for development. According to Mr. Silvère Songue, Researcher, Diplomat, Expert on peace, security and development issues "An inclusive policy on resource governance where there is the political will and an enabling environment, would benefit the community and the local masses who are victims of social and economic deprivation. Regional and sub-regional integrated approaches which take into consideration cultural plurality, integrated management mechanisms, the trans-border nature of resources, the ecosystems and the degree of sensibility of resources could lead to the protection of the masses and sustainable development". Professor Yves Paul Mandjem, Researcher and Professor at the international relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC) on his part added that "Maritime security strategies would have more meaning if they protect populations in distress especially those facing wars, epidemics and catastrophes, migrants, fishermen, fishing vessels etc."

The ICC is an implementing organ for the maritime security strategies in the Gulf of Guinea. It is an initiative of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCASS), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as well as the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) . ICC was launched on September 11th 2014 in Yaounde-Cameroon.

Through the FES/ICC conference, FES Cameroon contributes to several FES’ activities on the topic of Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea. Find below some relevant links of FES related work.