Publication:

Communiqué of the 1275th Meeting of the Peace and Security Council, held on 23rd April 2025, on the Imperative of a Combined Maritime Task Force in Addressing Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

At its 1275th meeting on 23 April 2025, the AUPSC adopted a communiqué emphasizing the need for a Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF) to combat piracy and transnational crimes in the Gulf of Guinea. Building on previous decisions, the Council acknowledged significant milestones in establishing the CMTF and welcomed Nigeria’s commitment to host its headquarters in Lagos. The Council endorsed the CMTF as a ready-to-deploy force and urged enhanced cooperation among Member States, regional organizations, and international partners to provide legal, logistical, technical, and financial support. It called for improved coordination through standard operating procedures, real-time intelligence sharing, and alignment with frameworks like the Yaoundé Architecture and AIMS 2050. The Council also highlighted the need to address root causes of maritime crime, harmonize regional strategies, and establish mechanisms like a Maritime Security Unit within the AU Commission. Further, it supported initiatives such as the Amani Africa exercises and a proposed African Coast Guard Forum. The Council committed to continued engagement on the matter and emphasized the importance of sustainable environmental practices in maritime security.