In collaboration with Oceans Beyond Piracy, Stable Seas issued a report focusing on near-term actions to deter piracy and armed robbery incidents in the Gulf of Guinea.
Following a recent uptick in kidnapping incidents in the Gulf of Guinea that put seafarers and fishers at great risk, Stable Seas commissioned a range of stakeholders, led by the Senior Advisor Jon Huggins, to discuss near-term actions that could provide relief from violent attacks in the Gulf of Guinea.
The study identified cross-sector agreement on the threat level as a necessary precondition for success, in addition to reaching a common understanding of regional interpretations of maritime boundaries and their effect on international cooperation, private security schemes, and prosecution of detainees and a move from multilateral to multi-stakeholder cooperation.
Specific Recommendations from the report include:
- Better incorporation of contracted state security in the Gulf of Guinea – including embarked uniformed security guards and the 150+ contracted security escort vessels manned by the Nigerian Navy.
- Establishment of standard protocols for information-sharing between international, regional, and national centers.
- Increased focus on operational coordination that can ensure regional strategies are implemented in the timeline of 6 months to 1 year.
- Establishment of a loose framework for cooperation supported by international partners, including pre-designated patrol zones and/or transit lanes coordinated with regional agencies.
It is important to note that some near-term efforts are already underway, including an initiative to better coordinate the shipping industry and Nigerian government security measures through the Nigerian government and Industry Joint Working Group (NIWG).
… Stable Seas noted.
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