AU Member-States Sign New African Maritime Charte

Nigeria and other member-states of the African Union (AU) have signed an African Charter on Maritime Security, Safety and Development in Lome, Togo.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo signed for Nigeria on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari. He noted that the Gulf of Guinea and the Horn of Africa in particular “are areas where there had been a lot of piracy and in our case, the Delta.” He explained that this was why Nigeria and other AU nations were devoted to the question of security of the oceans.

This Charter is devoted to ensuring security of all economic activities on the seas and oceans to overcome maritime crimes like piracy and smuggling. By signing the charter, African leaders intend to improve security of the coast and hope to inspire greater, coordinated economic activities and development. The charter is meant to ensure improved information-sharing between coastal countries and others in Africa. Out of the 54 AU countries, 38 are coastal.