Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Niger have jointly launched Operation Safe Domain II with the aim of combating piracy and crime at sea in the Gulf of Guinea region. This operation, which began on September 11, 2023, will continue until September 15, 2023 at the Multinational Maritime Coordination Center (CMMC) in zone “E”, located in Cotonou, Benin. During the inauguration ceremony held on Monday, Commodore Aniedi Ibok, director of the Multinational Maritime Coordination Center (CMMC) of zone “E”, explained that this program aimed to strengthen maritime security through through regional cooperation aimed at fostering prosperity. According to Ibok, patrol missions and joint operations aim to pool resources of participating states, make maritime assets interoperable and evaluate standard operating procedures.
It should be noted that Operation Safe Domain II aims to restrict the activities of pirates and criminals at sea by carrying out routine maritime patrols. This operation will cover a total area of 105,746 square nautical miles and will mobilize three vessels as well as a helicopter for patrol and surveillance operations. Brigadier General Fructueux Gbaguidi, Benin’s chief of defense staff, stressed that his country was grappling with piracy problems and sought support from neighboring countries. He recalled that the collaboration between these countries led to the creation of Operation “Safe Domain I” in 2021, the success of which led to the establishment of Operation “Safe Domain II” in 2023. Captain Jean Léon Olatoundji, Chief of Staff of the Beninese Navy, highlighted the importance of cooperation between countries to strengthen the fight against piracy. He affirmed that Operation “Safe Domain II” demonstrates the collective will of member countries to confront the threat of piracy in the maritime region.