The event marked its 12th year with 29 participating nations at an opening ceremony held on January 23rd, 2023 in Lagos, Nigeria.
However, this closing ceremony held at the Gambia Naval Command Maritime Operations Centre in Banjul, was graced by the US Ambassador to The Gambia, Sharon L. Cromer, representative of The Gambia Navy commander, Captain Sambou Barrow, personnel of the US Navy Team and personnel of The Gambia Navy, amongst others.
This sea and surveillance exercise through the maritime operations centre started on 28 January 2023 and brought together 32 participating nations with the ultimate aim of strengthening cooperation amongst partner countries for a more secure, safe and economically prosperous maritime coastal African nations and the world at large.
This year's exercise also features multiple at sea and ashore training, including exchanges on boarding techniques, search and rescue operations, medical casualty response, radio communication, and information management techniques.
These activities, carried out during the exercise were tailored towards tackling illegal activities at sea such as human trafficking, small arms and narcotics trafficking and illegal fishing, amongst others.
Addressing the gathering, Sharon L Cromer, US Ambassador to The Gambia, commended personnel of The Gambia Navy for their diligent and active service despite the lack adequate resources.
US Ambassador acknowledged that Navy is central to the affairs of the sea, stressing it is within their duty to guide the people who ply the country’s waters as well as protect the fishing areas.
“Every illegally caught fish is a meal taken from a family’s plate, every illegally cast net is a threat to this country’s resources” she said.
Deputising for the Commander of The Gambia Navy, Captain Sambou Barrow assured his institution's willingness to continuously partner and work with the rest of Africa and the world at large for the common maritime security goals.
The event wrapped up with the presentation of certificates to participants.
