FIFTH MEETING OF ECOWAS SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE CHIEFS OF NAVAL STAFF: Review of Maritime Centre Status to Strengthen Maritime Security

The fifth meeting of the of ECOWAS Sub-Committee of the Chiefs of Naval Staff was held in Accra, Ghana, from 18 to 20 February 2026. This meeting aimed to examine important issues such as the status of maritime centres, the transfer of the Yaris platform, and the Combined Maritime Task Force. Discussions focused on clarifying the legal status of personnel deployed in regional maritime centres, a crucial step to enhance the effectiveness of joint operations in the Gulf of Guinea.

Participants also reviewed the implementation of recommendations from the 4th meeting held in Cabo Verde, the development of a framework for a combined maritime force in the Gulf of Guinea, and updates on ongoing joint maritime operations.

In his opening address, Commodore Samuel AYELAZONO emphasized the importance of the Yaoundé process and called for collective action to improve resource mobilization and information sharing.

Ambassador Abdel-Fatau MUSAH highlighted progress made since the adoption of the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS), including the implementation of Operation “SAFE DOMAIN” in Zone E, Operation ANOUANZE in Zone F, and joint maritime patrols in Zone G. He stressed the need for enhanced security cooperation to combat terrorism, drug trafficking, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. He concluded by urging Naval Chiefs and Coast Guard Commanders to focus on: the Yaoundé Architecture Regional Information System (YARIS), the Combined Maritime Task Force, the legal status of ECOWAS maritime centres, and the manual of procedures.