Africa’s naval chiefs say there is a need for structured continental and regional co-operation to address matters of maritime security and governance, whether these be in the form of bilateral, multi-lateral or other agreements or arrangements.
SEA POWER FOR AFRICA SYMPOSIUM 2009: Towards Effective Maritime Governance for Africa
Preamble
Whereas the represented Chiefs of African Navies and Coast Guards and Inland Countries, having gathered with members of the international maritime community for the Third convention of the Sea Power for Africa Symposium in Cape Town over 08 – 12 March 2009;
And having engaged in dialogue on a number of matters crucial to the effective maritime governance for Africa;
And recognising that such effective maritime governance is inextricably linked to the human security and sustainable development of the people of the Continent;
And affirming that such effective maritime governance is founded upon structured collaboration and co-operation, and underpinned by trust and the consolidation of the good relations between the Navies of the Continent;
And affirming the collaborative efforts of the members of the international community in supporting the African maritime security agenda and urging that such support and collaboration continue through the Sea Power for Africa initiative, in pursuit of the peace, safety and prosperity of the Continent and its people;
And acknowledging the value of maritime resources to the people of Africa and the inherent dangers to all who use the seas for their livelihoods upon the bordering waters of our Continent;
And recognising the vulnerabilities of our oceans and seas, both to environmental degradation and climate change, and piracy and other unlawful maritime acts along the African coast;
And recognising the need for the cooperation and full involvement of land locked countries, and other African coastal states seriously disadvantaged by lack of capacity to govern their maritime zones;
Hereby give recognition to the following imperatives:
Continental and Regional Co-operation
· The need for structured continental and regional co-operation to address matters of maritime security and governance, whether these be in the form of bilateral, multi-lateral or other agreements or arrangements;
· The need to maximise potential areas of Continental and Regional co-operation, which include but are not limited to, joint surveillance, law enforcement, inter-agency co-operation, civil society structures, hot pursuit agreements, data sharing, command and control integration, hydrography and training support;
· The requirement to establish Continental and Regional agreements, arrangements, and capabilities including, but not limited to, such common agendas as Search and Rescue, Humanitarian Crises and Disaster Relief
· The inclusion of all landlocked countries in deliberations
· The need to capacitate and support the Maritime Office of the African Union and to promote and co-ordinate co-operation in accordance with its Mandate inter alia by:
o secondment of specialist support staff; and
o co-ordination of inter continental co-operation
International Co-operation
· The need for maritime interaction with overseas partners to enhance interoperability, information sharing and international stability
· To assist international efforts to eradicate the illegal use of the seas around Africa
Capability and Force Design
· The requirement for Continental, Regional and National harmonisation of Force Structure Element capability requirements, designs, technologies and logistic/administration support;
· The requirement to operationalise the concept of collaborative multi-national exercises/training and utilisation, and inter-operability of naval and air assets in pursuit of common objectives at national, regional and continental levels;
Policy and Governance
· The need for the generation of the comprehensive maritime security policy for Africa which develops maritime dimensions to address threats to the maritime security of the Continent;
· Recognition of the importance of collective Continental and Regional ownership and support of all issues pertaining to maritime governance, together with a clear definition of how such ownership and support shall be realised;
· The requirement for the harmonisation of laws, policies and institutions to facilitate efficient co-operation and collaboration in pursuit of ensuring maritime security Continentally and Regionally;
· The need to explore the legal framework as a method of providing mechanisms of co-operation, as well as to recognise that said legal framework is contingent on willingness and support at every level;
· The need to harmonise the legal frameworks of African states as a means of enhancing Continental and Regional cooperation and implementing the resolutions of the Symposia
Landlocked States
· The call for the full participation and co-operation of landlocked countries to the governance of Africa`s maritime zones
· The imperative for leading African maritime nations to assist the disadvantaged coastal and inland states who lack the capacity to secure their maritime zones
· The inclusion of all landlocked states, agreements and contributions (material, human) in keeping with, inter alia, the provisions of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Continuation of the Sea Power for Africa Initiative
· The necessity for a representative Continental working group to be established under the leadership of the present Chair, the South African Navy, or other duly elected entity, to co-ordinate and further the activities of the Sea Power for Africa initiative, including the forthcoming Sea Power for Africa Symposium
· The resolution that the Sea Power for Africa Symposium be convened every two years; in keeping with the current format
Consolidation of Previous Resolutions
· The imperative for all Regions and Member State countries to act upon the resolutions emanating from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sea Power for Africa Symposia
Securing a mandate
· The overriding obligation placed on all African Countries to bring to the attention of their people and their governments the critical importance of the maritime domain to their economic well being
· The obligation placed upon participating delegates to present the proceedings of the Third Sea Power for Africa Symposium, together with the associated resolutions, to their own principals in order to achieve endorsement and support by own Governments. Having secured officially mandated support and direction, this will facilitate the initiatives of, inter alia, the New Partnership for Africa`s Development.
