Past event: African Security: The African Maritime Security Summit

The security environment in Africa has changed rapidly over the past two years.

Previously, African security had been defined by piracy and the protection of resources but whilst these challenges still remain, the overall threat environment has become more diverse. Africa is now facing new challenges from terrorism and the proliferation of organised crime, the result of which is probably the world's worst human security crisis currently occurring off the coast of North Africa in the Mediterranean as 100s of migrants are put in danger every day. African states and organisations are aware that they need to adapt their requirements to these changes, if they are going to overcome these threats.

Maritime security is still at the forefront of Africa’s agenda. In recent years the transatlantic drug trade has been flourishing, with contraband being smuggled from Latin America to West Africa and from thereon, thus acting as a gateway into Europe, Asia and the Middle East. In some states, this trade has become so prevalent that it poses a big threat to government control. The escalation of maritime piracy in both the Gulf of Guinea and along the Eastern coast has also exposed limited levels of maritime domain awareness in some regions as organised criminal and militant groups operate successfully.

It is evident that maritime security threats cannot be addressed by states individually, but only by enacting cohesive regional cooperation. While progress has been made – with key milestones such as the Djibouti and Gulf of Guinea Codes of Conduct – more commitment and resources are needed if plans to combat maritime threats are to be fully realised.

African states have boosted spending and defence budgets to address certain capability gaps. Their aims include increasing overall capacity, improving strategic capability and operational effect on these challenging mission types. Repairing and refurbishing existing assets has been the traditional approach to maintaining platforms and keeping up-to-date. However, more recently governments have intensified their efforts by becoming more proactive in COTS procurement and industry engagement. The ultimate ambition will be to leverage a growing economy to support indigenous industry.

Whilst Africa remains a place of strategic importance for the International Community, African Nations have to become increasingly independent. A transition plan is therefore needed to help states take control, buy assets and work collaboratively. The conference will promote regional cooperation and raise awareness of key security challenges and outstanding requirements across Africa. The symposium will act as a platform to share information and experiences, as well as help find viable solutions to current and future threats.

In order to achieve this, AFSEC 2015 will bring together military services, chiefs of defence, diplomatic and foreign affairs professionals, law-enforcement authorities, and industry leaders from across the globe to discuss pan-African security challenges; with the primary objective of shaping future strategies and engaging with regional and international partners on these topical security matters.



AFSEC 14 has been a great opportunity to exchange experiences with other staff from other countries and learn about the latest development from the technical and commercial side.
Rear Admiral Cissoko CNS, Senegalese Navy

Register at ASDEvents and receive 20% discount.

2015 Speakers

  • Conference Chairman: Ms. Nancy Karigithu, Former Director General, Kenyan Maritime Authority
  • Commander Abdou Sene, Chief of Operations Division, Senegalese Navy
  • Rear Admiral Djakaridja Konate, Commander, Navy of Côte d'Ivoire
  • Major General Alberto Carlos Barbosa Fernandes, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of Cape Verde
  • Captain Atonfack Guemo Cyrille Serge, Maritime Security Expert & Advisor to Civil-Military Actions, Cameroonian Navy
  • Commodore Will Warrender, RN, Deputy Commander, Combined Maritine Forces
  • Mr. Elroy Africa, Project Manager, Border Management Agency (BMA), Ministry of Home Affairs, South Africa
  • Mr. Michel Soula, Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Operations, NATO
  • Lieutenant Colonel Michael Rosette, Chief of Staff, Seychelles People's Defence Forces
  • Mr. Vincent Davis, Criminal Intelligence Officer, Counter Terrorism Fusion Centre, INTERPOL
  • Vice-Admiral (Rtd) Hubert de Gaullier, Project coordinator & Team Leader, EU Marsic, ESF-MS Gulf of Guinea 2015
  • Dr. Carlos Alexandre Reis, National Security Advisor, Cape Verde Republic
  • Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh Jr., National Security Advisor, Republic of Liberia
  • Ms. Simonetta Silvestri, Acting Head of Mission, EUCAP Nestor Horn of Africa / Western Indian Ocean
  • James W. Goen, Global Threats Analyst, DASD for Counter-narcotics & Global Threats, US Department of Defense
  • Mr. Cosmas Cherop, Acting Director General, Kenyan Maritime Authority
  • Mr. Ali-Mirah Chehem Daoud, Director of Maritime Affairs, Maritime Administration of Djibouti
  • Captain Corrado Campana, Director of Training Support, NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre, NMIOTC
  • Mr. Donato Colucci, Senior Immigration & Border Management Specialist, IOM Regional Office for Middle East and North Africa
  • Captain (Rtd.) Brian Wilson, USN, Deputy Director, Global Maritime Operational Threat Response Coordination Centre (GMCC)
  • Ambassador Tewolde Gebremeskel, Director Peace and Security Division, IGAD
  • Brigadier General Rogastain Laswai, Commander, Tanzanian Navy Command *(Subject to final confirmation)
  • Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean, Deputy Commander, EUNAVFOR MED * (Subject to final confirmation)
  • Colonel Mohamed Ibrahim, Commander, Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard * (Subject to final confirmation)
Register at ASDEvents and receive 20% discount.

Please fill in your name and email to receive the draft agenda of this event.


Main Conference Day One: Tuesday 08th December 2015
  • Including: Morning Coffee & Networking, Networking Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Networking
Main Conference Day Two: Wednesday 09th December 2015
  • Including: Morning Coffee & Networking, Networking Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Networking

Venue

The venue is not yet available for this event.
Follow this event to be informed when the venue is available and stay informed on other changes.

Venue & Accommodation

Hyatt Regency Casablanca
Place Des Nations Unies, Sidi Belyout
Casablanca,
20000, Morocco
Website:  http://casablanca.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
Phone: + 212 5 22 43 1234

Please note: We will never recommend, approve or appoint any third party rooming service to act on our behalf. Please be extremely wary if you are approached by any such companies. We will always endeavour to negotiate the best available rates for you so please use the Hotel´s website link provided.

Register at ASDEvents and receive 20% discount.
Event details
Organizer : IQEU
Event type : Conference
Reference : ASDE-6941