As part of the fight against maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea, the Minister of Justice launched, on April 18, the project called “Strengthening maritime security and the rule of law at sea in Africa”. Funded by the Japanese Embassy, the project will enable Central African countries bordering the Gulf of Guinea to have a better understanding of maritime law and compliance with international safety and security standards.
In Gabon, the Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, Paul-Marie Gondjout proceeded, on April 19, 2024 in Libreville, to the official launch of a project aimed at strengthening maritime security and the rule of law at sea in the Gulf of Guinea. The initiative aims to improve maritime security and strengthen the capacities of agents for the application of maritime law in Africa.
Funded by the Japanese government for an amount of approximately 500 million CFA francs, this program, extending over a period of twelve months, is implemented by the Global Maritime Crime Program (GMCP) of the Office of United Nations Against Drugs and Crime (UNODC). “Japan is very aware of the value of the sea. It is very important to maintain security in the sea. This is why we supported the activities of the UNODC. I hope that the 5 countries of ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States) harmonize legislation and strengthen human capacities,” declared Noguchi Shuji, Japanese ambassador to Gabon.
In recent years, major illicit activities in the Gulf of Guinea have increased, making this area the epicenter of maritime piracy, requiring an urgent response from the countries concerned. The project will enable Central African countries in the Gulf of Guinea to have a better understanding of maritime law and compliance with international safety and security standards. “Thanks to this help from the Japanese people, and as an ambassador who loves Gabon and the Gabonese people, I hope from the bottom of my heart that the violence perpetrated against ships in waters under sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Gulf of Guinea, are all eliminated,” said the Japanese diplomat.
Noguchi Shuji encouraged all concerned Member States in the Gulf of Guinea to become more involved in the rigorous management of this project so that they fully achieve their objectives and contribute to consolidating the security and safety architecture maritime for the well-being of regional populations.
The project aims to provide the five countries concerned – Gabon, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Congo and Sao Tome and Principe – with an appropriate legal framework; to strengthen the capacities of maritime officers to better combat crimes committed at sea, in particular maritime piracy, drug trafficking, migrant trafficking, illegal fishing, and to promote the rule of law at sea in the Gulf of Guinea.
For his part, the Gabonese Minister of Justice, in his circumstantial speech, expressed his thanks to the Japanese government for the choice of Gabon as the host country for this important project which, not only, falls within the framework of the process of restoration of institutions desired by the President of the Transition, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, but also represents the most concrete sign of Japan’s cooperation for Central Africa.
