The global community reaffirms its commitment to the fight against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. The European Union (EU) has extended its naval presence in the area under the auspices of the Commercial Maritime Presence (CMP) until February 2024.

The global shipping community signs a declaration to end piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. France's ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatman, said the extension was to enable ECOWAS to strengthen its anti-piracy mechanism to curb pirate attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Guinea. Represented by the Consul General of France in Lagos, Laurence Monmayrant, at the 7th International Maritime Week in Lagos, the ambassador said the decision toShe said the decision to expand the CMP program follows the success of the initiative which has reduced pirate attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Guinea by more than 80 percent.

She said the mechanism to be deployed by ECOWAS must involve arrest at sea, legal termination and imprisonment. She also stated that the introduction of new models, both innovative and economically viable, can only be achieved if the maritime routes are secured, stressing that these routes are not the only ones to be used.She also stated that the introduction of new models, both innovative and economically viable, can only be achieved if maritime routes are secure, stressing that these routes cover vast areas where seafarers and goods must be safe for trade to take place.