MMCC Zone F commemorate 10th anniversary of Yaounde Code of Conduct
The ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordinating Centre (MMCC, zone F), has organised a one-day conference to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Yaounde Code of Conduct in Ghana.
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The event held on the theme: “Impact of Yaoundé Process on ECOWAS Maritime Domain:10 Years After the Adoption of Yaoundé Code of Conduct,” brought together key stakeholders, experts, and authorities in the maritime sector.
It was to assess the successes, challenges since the establishment of the Yaounde Code of conduct in 2013.
The Yaounde code of conduct established by ECOWAS and the Economic Community of Central African State, ECCAS aims to prevent and repress piracy, armed robbery against ships and illegal maritime activities in the West African sub-region.
MMCC zone F, one of the Maritime centres under the Yaoundé Architecture which is at the forefront of combating maritime threats within the Gulf of Guinea includes countries such as Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Liberia.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS Commission, Dr Abdel Fatau Musa, said fruitful collaboration between the four maritime centres has led to a significant improvement in the maritime sector especially in reducing incidents of crime such as armed robbery, piracy in the countries within zone F.
He disclosed that an average of 20 incidents of maritime robbery recorded between 2019 and 2022 dropped to about 12 in 2023.
That, he said was achieved as a result of proper coordination, education, training effective information sharing, joint maritime operation among others in the Gulf of Guinea.
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Dr Musa explained that ECOWAS has also developed an environmental policy based on the sustainable management of natural resources including Forestry, maritime, coastal diversity and ecosystems for the benefit of the regional community while thanking the Government of Ghana for supporting its operations and providing a remarkable edifice as its headquarters in Accra.
For his part, the Director of the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC Zone F), Captain Noel Oboumou, said the growing incidents of maritime crime particularly piracy in the Gulf of Guinea called for the establishment of the centre to curb the menace.
He commended the leadership of ECOWAS, ECCAS for the Gulf of Guinea Foundation for laying the foundation for a common regional strategy to prevent and prosecute illegal activities that also inspired the Yaounde architecture.