EnMAR – Enhanced MARitime Action in the Gulf of Guinea
Helping improve maritime security and economic prosperity in the Gulf of Guinea

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Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo
Global threats and organised crime
International security, stability and peace
Published on 22/05/2023
Credit: Simon Hurry on Unsplash

Objective

Financed by the European Union, EnMAR is helping improve maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea by strengthening coordination and information-sharing.
  • €5m
    BUDGET
  • 10/10/2022
    PROJECT START
  • 36 months
    DURATION
    PROJECT FUNDED BY
  • European Union

Promoting coordination between maritime security operators in the Gulf of Guinea

In the maritime domain, the Gulf of Guinea is faced with major challenges and threats, including piracy and illegal trafficking by sea (illegal bunkering, narcotics, weapons, counterfeit products and medicines, human trafficking, etc.).

Illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU Fishing) and the damage caused to the environment affect maritime security and pose a threat to the sustainable development of the region, especially for the development of a blue economy. The threats are transregional, widespread and know no borders.

For several years, the European Union has been committed to improving maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea through the implementation of strategies, cooperation projects and security centres.

The Gulf of Guinea has been designated as a Maritime Area of Interest and selected as a pilot case for the implementation of the concept of Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP). This tool for an integrated European approach aims to increase the European Union’s capacity as a reliable partner and a key actor in maritime security. It also provides a greater operational engagement from Europe, ensuring a permanent and coordinated maritime presence, and promoting maritime cooperation and partnerships for the seas.

Improving maritime security with the EnMAR project

In this context, and working on the basis that the European Union’s action needs to be stepped up, optimised and its profile raised, the project called EnMAR – Enhanced Maritime Action in the Gulf of Guinea – aims to contribute to improving maritime security and economic prosperity in the Gulf of Guinea. 

 

 

To this end, Expertise France is working with its partners on four lines of action:

I. Deepen the political dialogue and engagement of partners against maritime insecurity to encourage a greater involvement of local stakeholders. The high-level political and operational dialogue and initiatives are stepped up in existing regional and international forums and in the context of the action of delegations of the European Union.

II. Share information and improve the relevance and coherence of the European Union’s action.

III. Build the operational capability of partners through training and advice on specific issues related to maritime security.

IV. Raise awareness of the European Union’s maritime strategy in the Gulf of Guinea: a European Union strategy of diplomacy and visibility is deployed towards local partners and stakeholders through the dissemination of key messages, the organisation of major events, and the creation of digital communication tools and visibility products.

Areas of action

• Platform for exchanges on the action of the European Union and other international initiatives related to maritime security

• Technical, logistical and financial support and advice on organising activities

• Maritime expertise and development of control over the maritime environment

• Holistic approach to maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea

• Support in the field of communication and visibility

    Related field of activity

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    Global threats and organised crime
    Terrorism and its corollary, organised crime, are today the main cross-cutting threats to peace and security at both national and international levels. The international community’s priority is therefore to combat these threats via cooperation among countries and the exchange of technical know-how.

    Associated documents / related documents

  • EnMar Factsheet
    Document pdf, 227 Kb
    Download
  • EnMar Factsheet_Portuguese
    Document pdf, 219 Kb
    Download