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Obangame Express brings a multinational approach to security African waters

Service members with the Royal Moroccan military provide covering positions during a boarding training evolution aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams as part of exercise Obangame Express 2022, March 15, 2022. Obangame Express 2022 is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation and increase maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.

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Photo by: Petty Officer 1st Class Fred Gray 

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Obangame Express brings a multinational approach to security in African waters

Service members from ally and African partner nations attend the Senior Leadership Symposium as part of exercise Obangame Express 2022 at the Senegalese Naval Headquarters, in Dakar, Senegal, March 16, 2022. Obangame Express 2022 is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation and increase maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa coastal regions.

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Peter Ticich 

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USS Hershel “Woody” Williams Participates in Exercise Phoenix Express 2021

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (May 23, 2021) A member of the Tunisian navy visit, board, search and seizure team climbs down a Jacobs ladder while participating in Exercise Phoenix Express 2021 aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in the Mediterranean Sea, May 23, 2021. Exercise Phoenix Express 2021, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Coffer/Released)

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Photo by: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Coffer 

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Phoenix Express 2016

160522-N-XT273-882 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (May 22, 2016) Italian Sailors and Marines participate in a mock visit, board, search, and seizure boarding drill aboard the Algerian ship Kalaat Beni-Abbes 474 during Exercise Phoenix Express 2016 May 22. Phoenix Express is a U.S. Africa Command-sponsored multinational maritime exercise designed to increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Stumberg/Released)

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Photo by: MC2 Justin Stumberg 

For decades Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing has been a global problem affecting ocean ecosystems, threatening economic and food security, and putting law-abiding fishermen and seafood producers at a disadvantage.

From a security standpoint IUU has threatened nations in many forms – from criminal activity at ports to the rule of law. These activities, coupled with food security, loss of income, and climate change, all lead to instability.

The U.S. has released a 5-year strategy that outlines a regional approach that focuses on ‘flag states’ to support a whole-of-government approach to counter IUU fishing and related threats to maritime security.

“Each flag state or administration has demonstrated a willingness to and interest in taking effective action against IUU fishing activities associated with its vessels,” the report reads. “The U.S. aims to assist these governments and authorities to become self-sufficient, regional leaders in the fight against IUU fishing.”

One example of how the U.S. is helping partner nations in Africa with IUU is through a bilateral enforcement agreement to help protect Senegalese fisheries resources. The U.S. whole-of-government approach is also evident in a $15 million project – through USAID – to improve sustainability and detect and deter IUU fishing in Senegal.

These efforts will build off existing, partner-centric approaches like the Djibouti and Yaoundé Codes of Conduct and multinational maritime exercises Phoenix and Obangame Express to counter piracy and illicit activity in Africa’s waters.

“Togetherness means no one nation has to tackle these challenges alone,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Kirk Smith, deputy commander, U.S. Africa Command, during Obangame Express 2022. “And that we each stand a little taller while shoulder to shoulder in the pursuit of peace and prosperity.”