Spotlight: Helping turn Africa’s maritime policy into action
ISS was the leading independent source of expertise at the AU maritime summit in Lomé.
Published on 16 November 2016 in
Impact
Analysis and commentary provided by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) during the recent African Union maritime summit helped states grasp the key challenges and opportunities facing maritime security, development and governance.
‘Since July 2015, the ISS has become a key anchor point for African maritime stakeholders at continental, regional and national levels,’ says Timothy Walker, researcher at the ISS. ‘Our research and technical support show stakeholders how they can contribute to sustainable blue economic growth, maritime security and better governance of oceans and seas.’
The ISS is the prime source of information and analysis on maritime issues in Africa. Its expertise was shared at a number of side events at the Extraordinary Summit on Maritime Security and Safety and Development in Africa, in Lomé, Togo from 10–15 October. The meeting brought together representatives from 52 African countries including 17 heads of state, six heads of government and a vice-president.
The summit resulted in 31 countries signing the Lomé Charter, which commits signatories to undertake legally binding actions to enhance maritime security, development and governance. The Charter will enter into force when 15 countries have ratified it.
ISS analysis in both English and French was covered extensively in the local and international media during the summit, with interviews published by RFI Afrique, AFP and Moneyweb, among others.
Africa’s oceans have huge economic potential for its people.
In the lead up to the summit, and afterwards, ISS briefings and analysis boosted visibility and understanding of the pertinent maritime issues. Seminars in Pretoria, Côte d’Ivoire and Addis Ababa raised awareness among a cross-section of key stakeholders about the importance of the Lomé summit and what ought to be achieved.
‘ISS briefings always provide great, honest analysis. It is rare to have analysts tell blunt truths in such a polite but explicit way,’ said Jérôme Michelet, Associate Director of Oceans Beyond Piracy. ‘We also read ISS’ numerous maritime-related publications, which are always well argued,’ he added.
The ISS will continue to champion African maritime security in 2017. It will encourage states to ratify the Lomé Charter as soon as possible. The ISS will also support signatories and non-signatories to overcome funding and capacity barriers – not only for the Lomé Charter, but also the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter and the AU’s 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIMS), which is due for its first triennial review in 2017.
For more information contact:
Timothy Walker, ISS: +27 72 689 5825, [email protected]
Barthelemy Blede, ISS: +225 78 19 25 13/+221 78 170 86 60, [email protected]
Picture: ©Timothy Walker/ISS
