By: James Kamara-Manneh
The Maritime Wing of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has on the 27th January 2023 commenced a week of the OBANGAME Exercise at the Maritime Wing Trade School Compound, Murray Town, Freetown.
The exercise of the OBANGAME Express 2023 is an annual US-Led multinational maritime event designed to support countries on the western coast of Africa to enhance the capacities and competencies of their maritime forces.
The exercise further capacitates operators to be able to counter illicit activities perpetrated at sea with the aim to enhancing maritime security within the region and particularly the Gulf of Guinea maritime domain.
Speaking at the program, the Commander of the Maritime Wing, PJ Juana said the event is becoming a household name in the RSLAF and the Navy in particular. He applauded those that participated in the exercise last year, describing them as committed members of the force, and that their efforts to grace this year’s occasion are a clear manifestation of the significance placed on national maritime issues.
Commander Juana abundantly expressed appreciation to all attendees and adds that this year’s exercise marked the seventh year the country is actively participating in such a multinational OBANGAME exercise. He said the exercise has largely contributed to the standardization of our officers and sailors. The Commander, in his welcome remarks, added that the OBANGAME exercise is the largest in the sub-region conducted in the gulf of Guinea that seeks to promote regional and international collaboration and coordination amongst African nations and their international partners.
“The exercise involving various naval forces is based on the interoperability, cooperation, coordination and collaboration among various maritime security actors of our region,” he said.
He said the exercise aims to improve maritime safety and security in our countries, and generally within the gulf of Guinea which is in tandem with the objectives and aspirations of the Yaoundé code of conduct framework, together with Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Liberia and Guinea who are also signitatries. Going further in explaining details about the exercise, Commander Juana said participating countries will have the opportunity to increase their level of information-sharing collaboration and cooperation. Commander Juana went on to add that, the country’s maritime personnel will benefit in terms of professional skills and knowledge from the sharing of experiences and working onboard the navy platforms. He said the number of participating countries has astronomically risen to nineteen due to the seriousness placed in the OBANGAME exercise, whereas the foreign partners have increased their numbers of participants.
Several statements were made by different partners and organization representatives such as the United States Observers, the Sierra Leone Maritime Agency, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the National Revenue Authority and the Sierra Leone Police Maritime Wing.
At this juncture, the keynote address was delivered by the Commander Joint Force (CJF) as the Guest of Honor, Major General Dauda Fred Alpha.
Addressing the audience, Maj Gen Alpha described the occasion as a symbolic day for RSLAF to host such a dare exercise. He agreed that the maritime wing is becoming porous therefore, according to him; a collaborative effort is needed when all stakeholders converge to solicit a way forward.
“I keep wondering if our maritime wing remains unprotected it will just be like the wide west and that will harm our global economic development, human security and that of national security,” he said.
He said Sierra Leone as a nation is truly delighted to partner with the U.S. and its European allies and other African coastal nations within the gulf of Guinea. The guest of honour said the importance of such an exercise should not be overemphasized as it will foster coastal security within the maritime wing. He said this year’s event is the 12th time I has been organized and thirty-two nations are currently participating including nineteen African countries and the rest are international navies and coast guards.
Maj Gen Alpha further added that the exercise commenced in 2011 with only nine African nations, however, the huge number of participating nations as well as the improvement of maritime safety and security within the gulf of Guinea is a clear indication of the relevance of the OBANGAME Express.
He called on all and sundry to maximize the full commitment to the exercise and to learn, share ideas and collectively improve on various skills and capabilities and build trust along the maritime frontiers. He went on further to note that the exercise enhances the capacity of navy officers to benefitting from the endowments of natural resources.
Maj. Gen Alpha climaxed his statement by officially declaring the OBANGAME Express 2023 open for a week-long exercise commencing from the 27th of January to 3RD February 2023.
However, Sierra Leone will execute scenarios related to vessel tracking and monitoring, Anti-smuggling, illegal fishing, counterpiracy/Armed Robbery, and search and rescue. The participating agencies include the RSLAF Maritime Wing, Sierra Leone Marine Police, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration and National Revenue Authority.
Sierra Leone stands to benefit immensely from this regional exercise as personnel will increase their skills and competencies in maritime operations as well as build trust with neighbouring countries as well as national agencies, and strengthen effective collaboration, sharing of information and coordination between neighbouring countries and the region as a whole. The maritime operation capacity will increase hence ensuring improvement in the maritime security of Sierra Leone’s maritime borders.
