Senegal is taking a new milestone in regional maritime governance. At the end of the 19th General Assembly of the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (OMAOC), held in Banjul, the country became the first vice-presidency of the Bureau of Ministers, consolidating its influence within this strategic body.
In a statement made public, the Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, Dr. Fatou Diouf, welcomed this development, which came after Senegal held the position of second vice-president. According to her, this promotion reflects the renewed confidence of Member States and reinforces the country’s commitment to « more integrated and ambitious » African maritime governance.
The meeting was also marked by the award of the presidency of the Bureau of Ministers. The Democratic Republic of Congo, which was two years old, gave way to Gambia, until then the first vice-president, in a spirit of institutional continuity and regional solidarity.
The Senegalese minister also praised the quality of the organization of the event, sending her thanks to the Gambian authorities as well as the general secretariat of the OMAOC.
Another major announcement: Senegal will host the next General Assembly of the organization in two years, in accordance with the texts governing its operation. An appointment that Dakar intends to transform into a diplomatic and economic lever, in a context of reconfiguration of African maritime issues.
For Dr. Fatou Diouf, this collective dynamic must contribute to building a modern, secure and sustainable maritime space. She stressed the structuring role of the seas in regional integration, highlighting their potential for creating opportunities for youth and shared prosperity across the continent.
source : RTS
