The president of the Republic His Excellency Paul BIYA has called on the leaders of the ECCAS, ECOWAS and GGC to combine their efforts in the fight against maritime insecurity and other unwarranted activities that disturb the normal flow of goods and services in the Gulf of Guinea. The President made the appeal during his address at the opening ceremony of the Summit of Heads of State and Government on the security of the Gulf of Guinea
Yaounde, the capital city of Cameroon hosted the maiden Summit on maritime security from Monday 24 June to 25 June 2013. At the end of the Summit, it is expected that the Heads of State and Government will make a political declaration that will clearly spell out their determination to move forward on this very vital issue.
A memorandum of understanding and a code of conduct that were elaborated by the conference of Ministers in Cotonou and perfected consequently will equally be adopted during this sitting. These documents will henceforth be the guiding principles and framework for each of these countries to follow so as to harmonise and coordinate all their actions in the protection of this vital economic space. The limited means available for the defence structures of the countries in the region makes teamwork imperative for there to be a significant presence in the sea. By pooling their resources, the impact of their action will be more tangible.
Other speakers at the event included President Alassane DRAMANE OUATTARA of Cote d’Ivoire, President Idriss DEBY ITNO of Chad and the representatives of the Secretary General of the UN, the President of the African Commission and the President of the Gulf of Guinea Commission.
The meeting is also being attended by Presidents Goodluck JONATHAN of Nigeria, BONI YAYI of Benin, Blaise CAMPAORE of Burkina Faso, Denis SASSOU NGUESSO of Congo, Ali BONGO ONDIMBA of Gabon, Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO of Equatorial Guinea, Faure GNASSIMBE of Togo, Manuel PINTO d’ACOSTA of Sao Tome, and Mahamadou ISSOUFOU of Niger.
The session adjourned at midday to continue in the afternoon in a closed door meeting.
