The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently sent a team of functional experts and regional advisors to support the second annual African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) and third Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium-Africa (NILS-A) in Accra, Ghana. Held in tandem in 2024 for the first time, AMFS and NILS-A provided a platform for over 350 government personnel and military leaders, representing 41 nations, and spanning four continents to expand maritime cooperation and coordination. The Ghana Navy, U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF), and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa (MARFORAF) served as hosts for these gatherings aimed at improving interoperability across domains and continents. 

This unique opportunity that integrated ISG’s functional and regional expertise was well represented by Maritime Security Functional Lead Mr. Tim Doorey; Security Governance & Civil-Military Relations Functional Lead Mr. Nick Tomb, Africa Regional Program Lead Dr. Whitney Grespin, and West Africa Regional Program Coordinator Mr. Dean Bland.   

Key topics covered during the event included: 
1. Strategies for Cooperation and Models for Combined Operations 
2. The Spectrum of Maritime Action: At Sea and in the Littorals  
3. Assessing Maritime Security Interventions  
4. Countering and Prosecuting Illicit Maritime Activity: From Piracy to Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) 

ISG's team of experts played a crucial role in guiding break-out groups after each of the four specialized panel discussions. Additionally, ISG offered expertise on diverse training resources aimed at bolstering the maritime security capabilities and capacity of our African partners. As the U.S. Department of Defense’s key implementor of Institutional Capacity Building, ISG colleagues were uniquely suited to integrate and facilitate substantive sessions among these diverse multinational and regional stakeholders.  

These important gatherings aimed to achieve two main goals. The first was to better understand the challenges faced in African maritime domain, both along the shores and out at sea. The second was to enhance strategic relationships among stakeholders. This will help build regional cooperation to mitigate shared maritime threats. 

To learn more about ISG’s work in Security Cooperation and in building partner capacity, visit its website in general, and its Resource Library in particular. 

For more information For more information on AMFS/NILS-A, please visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/AMFSNILSA2024