The 5th Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Sub-Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff is underway in Accra, bringing together top naval leaders from across West Africa to address growing security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea and the wider ECOWAS maritime zone.
The meeting, scheduled from February 18 to 20, 2026, was officially opened by Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah (Ph.D.), ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (CPAPS), representing H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission.
In his opening address, Ambassador Musah highlighted the urgent need for enhanced cooperation among member states to secure the region’s maritime domain.
He stressed that collaboration and unified action remain critical to tackling piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and other maritime threats that undermine the region’s economic and security interests.
The primary focus of the Accra meeting is to determine the legal status of personnel deployed to ECOWAS Maritime Centres, a critical step toward ensuring operational clarity and protection for staff involved in joint maritime operations.
Other key items on the agenda include, implementing recommendations from the 4th Ordinary Meeting held in Cabo Verde, establishing a framework for the Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea, receiving updates on ongoing joint maritime operations, and reviewing country-level presentations on maritime security initiatives.
The gathering has drawn participants from the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Maritime Centres, naval chiefs of staff, and senior operations officers, reflecting a strong regional commitment to coordinated maritime security.
The meeting comes at a critical time when the Gulf of Guinea continues to face complex security threats. Analysts note that effective coordination between regional navies is vital for safeguarding trade routes, protecting coastal communities, and strengthening the rule of law at sea.
By convening in Accra, ECOWAS signals a renewed dedication to operational cohesion, legal clarity, and strategic planning in the maritime domain—efforts that could serve as a model for regional security cooperation across Africa.
As Ambassador Musah concluded, the meeting is not only about strategy and operations but also about reinforcing trust, collaboration, and shared responsibility among West African states to secure one of the continent’s most economically vital regions.
