By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The United States Government has reinforced its commitment to maritime security and regional cooperation by supporting Obangame Express 2025, a major multinational naval exercise held across West and Central Africa. In Sierra Leone, the U.S. Navy deployed two representatives, Lieutenant Klee and Logistics Specialist First Class Courtney, to work in close partnership with the Sierra Leone Navy.
Now in its 14th edition, Obangame Express brought together 32 participating nations from Africa, Europe and North America. The objective was to strengthen collective maritime law enforcement capabilities and enhance regional security in the Gulf of Guinea; a key maritime corridor that faces persistent threats ranging from piracy to illegal fishing.
Key focus areas of the 2025 exercise included combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, counter-narcotics and human trafficking efforts, search and rescue operations and deterring acts of piracy. These efforts are critical to safeguarding the economic and security interests of nations bordering the Atlantic coastline.
Central to the exercise was the reinforcement of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct (YCoC); a regional framework adopted in 2013 to improve maritime cooperation and coordination among West and Central African countries. The YCoC encourages trust-building, intelligence-sharing and joint operations to curb maritime crimes and improve maritime domain awareness.
A key tool employed during the exercise was SeaVision, a U.S.-developed maritime situational awareness platform designed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe Center in collaboration with U.S. Naval Forces Africa. SeaVision enabled participating navies to share real-time data and detect vessels not broadcasting Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals; often a red flag for illicit activities at sea.
In Sierra Leone, the collaboration between U.S. Navy personnel and their Sierra Leonean counterparts included specialized training, joint operational exercises and simulated maritime interdiction scenarios. These engagements aimed to build local capacity, improve inter-agency coordination and strengthen Sierra Leone’s ability to respond to maritime threats independently and as part of a regional force.
“The United States is proud to stand with Sierra Leone and other regional partners in advancing maritime safety and security,” said a U.S. Navy spokesperson. “Exercises like Obangame Express not only improve operational effectiveness but also foster enduring relationships that promote stability across the region.”
Maritime security remains a cornerstone of regional prosperity and peace, and the ongoing partnership between Sierra Leone and the United States is expected to further strengthen maritime governance and resilience amid evolving challenges.
