CRESMAO

CRESMAO took part, on Friday 24 April 2026, in the official launch ceremony of the multinational exercise , held at the Abidjan Naval Base. Coordinated by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), this large-scale training event stands as a key gathering for maritime security stakeholders in the Gulf of Guinea. It aims to strengthen naval interoperability, enhance coordination mechanisms, and consolidate response capacities against threats such as piracy, illicit trafficking, and transnational maritime crime. This fifteenth edition highlights the growing momentum of regional cooperation in maritime safety and security.

CRESMAO’s presence at this opening ceremony reflects its central role in fostering synergy among operational centers and participating navies, facilitating improved information sharing and a more effective collective response to maritime security challenges. Through its sustained engagement, CRESMAO reaffirms its decisive contribution to strengthening an integrated maritime governance framework, built on anticipation, cooperation, and operational effectiveness across the Gulf of Guinea.

CRESMAO was represented at the first meeting of the G7++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea (FOGG), co-chaired by Gabon and France, held in Paris on 15 and 16 April 2026. This high-level gathering brought together States of the Yaoundé Architecture, G7 countries, as well as regional and international partner organizations to address maritime security and safety challenges in the Gulf of Guinea. The opening ceremony featured remarks by Catherine Vautrin and Brigitte Onkanowa, who emphasized the geopolitical importance of the region and the need for enhanced cooperation. Structured around three thematic sessions, the discussions covered key threats including piracy, illicit trafficking, IUU fishing, cybercrime, and marine pollution, while also highlighting the role of partners such as UNODC, INTERPOL, and the European Union in strengthening legal frameworks and operational coordination.

During the exchanges, CRESMAO actively contributed to reflections on the operationalization and future evolution of the Yaoundé Architecture. Particular attention was given to ongoing progress, existing gaps, and priority actions required to enhance regional maritime governance. Emphasis was placed on the need for sustainable financing, improved coordination among centres, and the reinforcement of maritime domain awareness through tools such as the YARIS platform and information-sharing mechanisms like MDAT-GoG. The meeting concluded with key recommendations, including the designation of national focal points, better alignment of capacity-building initiatives, and the possible revision of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct to clarify responsibilities and strengthen political-level representation of the Architecture.







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