Strengthening maritime security in the region

The Safe Seas Africa (SSA) program is a new European Union project aimed at promoting maritime security in Africa. This program has a total budget of 45 million EUR.

This European initiative will be directly reinforced by the Regional Maritime Security Architecture implemented by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC). On July 4, in Ebène, EU Ambassador Oskar Benedikt and IOC Secretary General Prof. Vêlayoudom Marimoutou signed the 15.3 million EUR grant contract for the Indian Ocean segment of this program.

The implementation of the SSA program component by the IOC will build upon and expand the knowledge acquired during the MASE (Maritime Security) program. Also funded by the European Union, the IOC established a regional maritime security architecture across the entire western Indian Ocean.

As a partner, the European Union plays a crucial role in strengthening maritime security in this region. Development, peace, and stability in the area are seriously threatened by illicit activities on the high seas. It is essential to address the recent acts of piracy, drug trafficking, overfishing, and other illegal activities.