Pa Modou Mboob

The Evolutionary Path of Maritime Security Initiatives in the Gulf of Guinea: The Role of External Actors

Pa Modou Mboob, Edrissa Jallow

In the last decade and a half, the Gulf of Guinea has become a vital space in the global maritime domain. This has been due to its abundant natural resources, continued discoveries of oil and natural gas, and its importance to international maritime trade. However, its waters have been threatened by various illicit activities that undermine the economies of its states and affect the global trade and energy security of the region’s major energy importers. Under these circumstances, several initiatives have been implemented to combat maritime insecurity in the region, including from states, regional and international organizations. This study examines the involvement of the European Union and the United States of America in implementing strategies in the Gulf of Guinea through instruments of their national power. The paper argues that their impact has not resulted in a significant shift in the approach to maritime security in the region as that of the United Nations Security Council’s Resolutions 2018 and 2039. The fact that the United Nation’s outreach was mainly based on fighting maritime piracy through the adoption of the UNSC resolutions, has skewed the focus on maritime piracy, which set a precedent in the way maritime security is viewed in the region. The findings highlight that while some unilateral steps have been taken, most of the efforts of the key players subject of this study focus on promoting regional cooperation by strengthening the capacities of the Gulf of Guinea states. However, the study concludes that a more coordinated approach, with a broader scope, would be more beneficial in combating the wide range of maritime crimes in the region.