The Union of Comoros has initiated a five-day maritime intelligence training program in Moroni, bringing together officers from the Comorian merchant marine and Coast Guard. The training, supported by the East Africa Standby Force (Easf), aims to equip participants with skills in collecting, processing, and analyzing maritime information. This effort is part of Easf's mission to promote peace, security, and stability in East Africa by enhancing regional capacities.
The training program was launched on September 21 by Youssouf Ali Mohamed, Director of the President's Cabinet in charge of Defense. He emphasized the importance of maritime security in protecting the country's population, resources, and economic activities. Mohamed highlighted the need for robust national capacities and regional cooperation based on trust, information sharing, and complementarity of means to effectively secure the maritime domain.
Mohamed also underscored the threats facing the region, including illicit trafficking, human trafficking, unreported and unregulated fishing, piracy, transnational organized crime, and irregular migration by sea. He stressed that these threats often intersect and can exploit the same routes, vulnerabilities, and networks. Therefore, it is crucial for states to have the capacity to monitor, understand, anticipate, and act against these threats, with maritime intelligence playing a vital role.
Stephen Kahsure, Chief of Staff of Easf, reaffirmed the organization's commitment to sustaining this training program. He noted that Easf comprises nine member states: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda. Kahsure emphasized that Easf's mission is to maintain and promote peace and security through equitable governance, and that the training is part of this effort to build capacity in maritime intelligence and transmission.
The Easf has dispatched several delegations from its member states to provide expertise to the Comorian authorities. This training program is a manifestation of Easf's support to Comoros in enhancing its maritime security capabilities. By building the capacity of its member states, Easf aims to promote a more secure and stable maritime environment in the region.
The five-day training program will cover topics such as maritime intelligence, data processing, information collection, and maritime sector control. The program is designed to enhance the skills of Comorian officers in collecting, processing, and analyzing maritime information, thereby contributing to improved maritime security and stability in the region.
The collaboration between Comoros and Easf reflects a shared commitment to addressing maritime security challenges in the region. By working together, the two parties aim to build a more secure and stable maritime environment, which is essential for protecting human life, preserving resources, and securing economic activities.
Key points
- The training program aims to enhance the skills of Comorian officers in maritime intelligence, data processing, and information collection.
- Easf's support to Comoros is part of its mission to promote peace, security, and stability in East Africa by enhancing regional capacities.
- The program addresses maritime security challenges, including illicit trafficking, human trafficking, and piracy, which threaten the region.
