Improving African maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean
Leading roleplayers reflect on key challenges in the aftermath of COVID-19 and how to deal with them.
COVID-19 has had a major effect on African and global maritime security plans. Efforts over the past decade to make the Western Indian Ocean safer have delivered many notable results – most recently the release of the last hostages held by Somali pirates. Yet many of the underlying causes of insecurity are likely to persist and become more complicated to resolve in 2021.
This seminar will debate key maritime security questions arising in the aftermath of COVID-19. These issues are especially significant for African countries where maritime institutions that can reduce violence and promote sustainable development are often weak.
Chair: Timothy Walker, Maritime Project Leader and Senior Researcher, ISS Pretoria
Speakers:
Joyce Marangu Awino, Director, Enforcement and Emergency Response, Kenya Coast Guard Service
Kiruja Micheni, Project Manager, Djibouti Code of Conduct, Sub-Division for Maritime Security and Facilitation, International Maritime Organization
Toral Vadgama, Programme Coordinator, Global Maritime Crime Programme, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
