EnMAR – Enhanced MARitime Action 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.

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.

• 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