The third Maritime Security Conference, held on September 5-6, 2024, in Stellenbosch, South Africa, brought together 50 maritime experts, thought leaders, and naval officers from across Africa and beyond.
Jointly organized by the Royal Danish Defense College (RDDC), the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), and Stellenbosch University, the conference focused on the theme, “The Gulf of Guinea and the Red Sea as a Learning Curve for African Decision-Makers.”
The event highlighted recent developments in the Red Sea and explored strategies to address persistent and emerging maritime challenges in both regions. It served as a platform for collaboration, enabling participants to share insights, exchange best practices, and propose solutions to enhance maritime security.
Attendees included representatives from key maritime institutions such as the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) and State Action at Sea of Côte d’Ivoire. Experts from institutions like the University of St. Andrews and Stellenbosch University, as well as industry leaders from Nigeria, Mauritius, Côte d’Ivoire, Denmark, Benin, and Greece, contributed to the discussions.
Key topics covered during the conference included combatting piracy, illicit fishing, and other maritime crimes, with a focus on fostering regional cooperation and strengthening governance frameworks. Delegates emphasized the importance of leveraging lessons learned from the Gulf of Guinea and Red Sea to inform policy decisions and enhance maritime security across the continent.
This year’s conference underscored the critical need for multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing Africa’s maritime challenges and provided actionable recommendations for advancing security and stability in the region.
