European Union (EU) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) signs agreement to implement the Safe Seas Africa (SSA) programme
The European Union (EU) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) have signed an agreement to implement the Safe Seas Africa (SSA) programme, aimed at enhancing maritime security in Africa. The signing ceremony took place in Mauritius, with virtual participation from other IOC countries. In Seychelles, the ceremony was held at the Regional Fusion and Law Enforcement Centre for Safety and Security at Sea (REFLECS 3).
The agreement was signed by EU Ambassador Oskar Benedikt and IOC Secretary General Velayoudom Marimoutou. Marimoutou emphasized that the SSA programme will establish a primary maritime safety system, strengthen national capacities, enhance regional coordination, and expand collaboration in Africa and the Indian Ocean. The SSA programme builds on the Maritime Security (MASE) programme and is financed by the EU, covering the western Indian Ocean since 2018.
EU Ambassador Benedikt highlighted the EU's crucial role in strengthening maritime security in the region, addressing threats like piracy, drug trafficking, and overfishing. The SSA programme will involve joint maritime security efforts across the Gulf of Guinea, the western Indian Ocean, and the western Pacific Ocean.
The regional maritime safety architecture, established in 2018, includes agreements on maritime information exchange and state action coordination at sea. This led to the creation of the Maritime Information Fusion Centre (MIFRC) in Madagascar and the Regional Operations Coordination Centre (ROCC) in Seychelles.
IOC President Sylvestre Radegonde noted that the SSA programme will help implement decisions from recent IOC Ministerial Councils and develop national strategies for sufficient maritime capacity. The programme also involves international collaboration for information exchange and sea operations.