As part of the fight against maritime crimes such as illegal fishing, piracy, drug and human trafficking as well as oil theft in the Gulf of Guinea, more than twenty countries took part in the Exercise Nemo 2024. This annual event, led by the French Navy, aims to strengthen cooperation between navies and coast guards, with particular attention paid to five strategic operational areas in this region. The launch of this exercise took place at the Multinational Maritime Coordination Center in Accra, Ghana.
This exercise, according to Akra, would improve information sharing, interoperability and trust between participating nations. He also stressed the importance of ensuring security in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea, particularly in Zone F, which covers the waters between Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. .
Morocco, like other African nations, actively participated in this initiative which helped reduce criminal acts at sea in this strategic region. The Moroccan navy, in collaboration with its African and international partners, plays a key role in strengthening maritime security. This year, the exercise involved nearly 70 complex scenarios and the participation of 55 naval units, 12 aircraft and more than 4,000 personnel from various administrations. The exercises focused on simulations aimed at improving responses to piracy, illicit trafficking and undeclared illegal fishing.
West Africa, in particular, faces a worrying phenomenon of illegal fishing which is leading to the loss of thousands of jobs in artisanal fishing and costing the region billions. According to a report from the Stimson Center, this phenomenon could cost West Africa around $10 billion per year. Additionally, the region remains one of the world’s leading hotbeds for piracy, with 12 incidents reported in the Gulf of Guinea in 2024.
This exercise constitutes an opportunity for African nations, notably Morocco, to carry out maritime security initiatives, while consolidating their cooperation with international partners to respond to regional challenges. By strengthening security in this vital region, Morocco is actively contributing to a more stable and secure maritime environment, favorable to economic growth and sustainable development.
