ECOWAS has inaugurated its Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre for Zone “E” in Cotonou, Benin Republic, to respond to security threats and other maritime issues along the territorial waters of Togo, Niger, Benin and Nigeria on the Gulf of Guinea.

In his remarks during the ceremony, President Boni Yayi thanked ECOWAS for driving the process in line with the mandate of regional Heads of States.

“Only through collaborative initiatives such as the operational zoning of our maritime borders could much be achieved in the area of maritime security,” he added.

The President commended the laudable efforts made by West and Central African countries in the fight against terrorism and other security threats as a step in the right direction.

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs Peace and Security, Mrs. Salamatu Suleiman acknowledged the strong commitment of Member States and the political will of Heads of State which led to take off of the Centre.

She described the Centre as another evidence of ECOWAS’ commitment towards peaceful coexistence and integration within the region and thanked President Yayi for being a key figure in the advancement of global initiatives through the United Nations, against maritime security threats in the Gulf of Guinea.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony included Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security of Member States as well as Chiefs of Defence and Naval Staff of Zone E Member countries.

Also in attendance were representatives of the United Nations Office for West and Central Africa, the African Union, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Maritime Organization for West and Central Africa (MOWCA), as well as technical and development partners from the European Union and the United States.