The U.S. Government has reinforced its commitment to maritime security and regional cooperation by sponsoring Obangame Express 2025, a multinational maritime exercise in West and Central Africa. The exercise involved 32 nations from Africa, Europe, and North America, aiming to enhance collective maritime law enforcement capabilities and improve regional security in the Gulf of Guinea.
In Sierra Leone, two representatives from the United States Navy (USN), Lieutenant Klee and Logistics Specialist First Class Courtney, collaborated with the Sierra Leone Navy as part of this initiative. The focus areas included combating illegal fishing, search and rescue operations, countering drug and human trafficking, and addressing piracy threats.
A key component of the exercise was reinforcing the Yaoundé Code of Conduct (YCoC), established in 2013 to promote maritime coordination throughout West and Central Africa. This framework aims to reduce maritime crimes through trust-building and information-sharing among signatory nations.
Participants utilized SeaVision, a tool developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe Center alongside U.S. Naval Forces Africa. SeaVision enabled sharing of maritime information across the five zones defined by the YCoC, enhancing operational capabilities by detecting vessels not transmitting on Automatic Identification System.
The collaboration between USN representatives and the Sierra Leone Navy involved training sessions focused on maritime interdiction scenarios and information-sharing exercises. This partnership highlights the United States' commitment to fostering enduring relationships for ensuring safety in Sierra Leone's maritime environments.
For further details or media inquiries, contact U.S. Embassy Media Coordinator Alhassan Jalloh at jalloha@state.gov.