Regional Governance & Law

Enhancing Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea through “Obligatory Regionalism”

Elizabeth Chinenyenwa Nwarueze

Regionalism is often presented as antithetical to multilateralism. However, regional pathways have proven to be the most effective approach to addressing maritime security concerns in an interdependent maritime world. Enforcement at sea is therefore structured to reinforce State sovereignty and at the same time, encourage interdependence of States to address the unique threats to security in their regions. Yet, this regional approach reinforces stark disparities in security measures across maritime zones and highlights the power of maritime security challenges of a transboundary nature to weaken region-based responses and render them parochial and ineffective. The overall effect of maritime security concerns evokes the urgent need for global cooperation to address contemporary maritime security issues and inspires a re-assessment of regional enforcement strategies in the Gulf of Guinea. A two-step approach of solving national security concerns and enhancing regional cooperation on trade, for instance, as a catalyst for boosting maritime security within the region, is recommended.