The Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) has commenced a five-day maritime security seminar in Madagascar, bringing together representatives from ten countries of the West Indian Ocean (WIO) region. The seminar aims to enhance regional coordination against transnational organized crime at sea.
Key figures attending the opening ceremony included U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar and the Union of Comoros Claire Pierangelo, Ambassador Robert Scott, Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement of the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), Dr. Assis Malaquias, Academic Dean of the Africa Center, and Malagasy Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy Paubert Mahatante.
Ambassador Pierangelo emphasized the importance of collective efforts in maritime security: “Only through our collective efforts, shared intelligence, and coordinated actions can we safeguard our waters, protect our people, and ensure the prosperity and stability of our countries and region.”
Throughout the seminar, fifty officers and officials with maritime security responsibilities from WIO countries will discuss strategies for improving interoperability and developing a Regional Maritime Security Strategy as part of the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC). The discussions will address challenges such as countering transnational organized crime at sea, maritime justice, strategy, and regional cooperation.
ACSS alumni and experts have identified illegal fishing and transnational organized crime as major threats in the region. Participating countries include Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, and Tanzania.
The ACSS was established in 1999 as an academic institution within the U.S. Department of Defense to study African security issues. It serves as a platform for research and exchange involving military and civilian participants to strengthen African institutions' effectiveness.
Madagascar hosts approximately 50 ACSS alumni from various sectors. The Malagasy chapter was established in 2006 as a joint initiative with the Asia-Pacific Center for Strategic Studies (APCSS) and includes 192 members.