Historic U.S. Naval Go to Reinforces U.S.-Côte d’Ivoire Safety Partnership > United States Navy > News Show

Adm. George M. Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF), visited Abidjan this week, marking the highest-level U.S. Navy go to to the nation and underscoring the rising energy of the U.S.–Côte d’Ivoire protection partnership.

During his go to to Abidjan, Wikoff met with Abroulaye Fofana, the Permanent Secretary of the Interministerial Committee in Charge of State Actions at Sea, to debate maritime interoperability and cooperation. He then met with General d’Armée Lassina Doumbia, Chief of the Defense Staff, to advance U.S.–Côte d’Ivoire protection cooperation, with a concentrate on regional stability and shared pursuits within the Gulf of Guinea.

Wikoff additionally met with Rear Admiral Amara Koné, Deputy Chief of the Côte d’Ivoire Navy, to debate maritime operations, workouts, and cooperation.

The leaders centered their discussions on how naval forces can obtain interoperability by means of mixed workouts, operations, and data sharing. They additionally reaffirmed their dedication to the rules of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct as a framework for enhancing regional maritime safety within the Gulf of Guinea.

“Cote d’Ivoire and the United States share direct interests in maritime security,” mentioned Wikoff. “By working together, we can help ensure the sea lanes remain open and free for legitimate commerce in the Gulf of Guinea.”

Junaid Munir, Chargé d’Affaires at U.S. Embassy Abidjan, added, “Our partnership with Côte d’Ivoire is delivering real results – advancing shared security interests while expanding opportunities for American and Ivoirian businesses through increased trade, investment, and shared prosperity.”

Wikoff additionally acknowledged Côte d’Ivoire’s participation within the annual multinational maritime train Obangame Express, the biggest annual multinational maritime train in Africa. Led by NAVAF and hosted by completely different African nations every year, its purpose is to enhance regional cooperation, maritime info sharing, and countering criminality at sea. It particularly focuses on Gulf of Guinea safety by means of joint coaching to fight Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, unlawful trafficking, and piracy.

For greater than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa has cast strategic relationships to protect safety. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces within the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of duty.