Towards Effective Maritime Security Cooperation in Addressing the Threat of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in the Gulf of Guinea: A Review of Extant Issues and Challenges

Abstract

The Gulf of Guinea has remained in the limelight since the International Maritime Organisation in 2010 declared the sub-region as being among the most dreaded waters due to the persistence of piracy and armed robbery against ships. In response to these threats, states in the region have engaged in several individual state-based actions; as well as bilateral and multilateral arrangements targeted at addressing the maritime security problems. This article seeks to examine extant maritime security collaborations in the Gulf of Guinea and assesses their efficacy. Utilising desk-based methodologies, the paper posits that the maritime security concerns of the states in the sub-region mostly coincide, creating the need for close security alliances. However, the efficacies of the arrangements are adversely affected by pre-existing challenges. The article, among other suggestions, recommends that states address their respective state-centric problems and show commitment to running a single sub-regional framework as pathways to attaining effective curtailment of the threats.