“The absence of an effective maritime governance system in particular hampers freedom of movement in the region, disrupts trade and economic growth, and facilitates environmental crimes.
“We have also acknowledged in our resolutions and in the presidential statement adopted this morning that the solution to these root causes lies in greater African stewardship of maritime safety and security at the continental, regional, and Member State level.
“Strong political will from African governments and leaders is needed to pursue and prosecute crimes at all levels within criminal enterprises”.
She said that maritime crime flourishes under ineffective or complicit governance structures, but was diminished when rule of law was effective.
She said that with the absence of African ownership and action from national and local governments to tackle maritime security challenges, there was little reason to believe that attacks in the Gulf of Guinea would decline.
In this regard, she welcomed the Yaoundé Summit documents, which articulated a comprehensive view of maritime safety and security, including combating illegal fishing; trafficking of arms, people, drugs, and maritime pollution.
She commended the UN offices of West and Central Africa for providing capacity building and technical assistance to governments in the region.
As well as sub-regional organizations, including the Gulf of Guinea Commission, the Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS, and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.
Sison urged the Member States of the regional and sub-regional organisations to make the Inter regional Coordination Centre fully operational.
She also said the U.S. was doing its part to support the efforts of its African partners in the Gulf of Guinea.
Sison explained further that the U.S. approach was based on three guiding principles: the prevention of attacks, the response to acts of maritime crime, and enhancing maritime security and governance.
“On prevention, we are supporting ECOWAS and ECCAS efforts to strengthen regional maritime strategies, including the completion of their Memorandum of Understanding and Code of Conduct for Central and West Africa.
“We are also encouraging nations to fully implement the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and the 2050 AU African Integrated Maritime Strategy.
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