The 5th Sea Power for Africa Symposium 2024 (SPAS 24), taking place from October 15-16 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, is hosted by the South African Navy and brings together naval leaders, defence experts, and policymakers from across Africa and other global partners. The symposium’s theme, “Good Order at Sea in the African Maritime Domain,” addresses critical maritime security challenges like sustainable ocean resource usage, piracy, illegal fishing, human trafficking, and environmental pollution.
During her opening remarks, Defence Minister Angie Motshekga highlighted the symposium’s unique role in uniting senior maritime officials and academics to address pressing maritime threats facing the continent. She emphasized that regular forums like this are crucial for tackling both current and future challenges within Africa’s maritime domain.
Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the South African Navy, reiterated the strategic importance of Africa’s geographical position between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. He pointed out the continent’s struggle to secure its maritime domain and underscored the need for enhanced regional cooperation to improve maritime security. Lobese expressed concern about Africa’s reliance on external partners for security, dubbing it an unsustainable approach. He proposed a shift towards self-reliance among African navies, advocating for regular joint exercises to strengthen skills and interoperability.
Additionally, Lobese raised alarm over the economic impacts of illegal activities, citing that South Africa alone loses about R6 billion annually due to illegal fishing, a situation that affects the entire continent. He introduced the concept of “Sisonke,” an IsiXhosa term meaning “together,” advocating for unity among African states to tackle shared maritime threats.
He suggested initiatives such as cross-border patrols and the creation of the Combined Exclusive Maritime Zone of Africa (CEMZA) to improve cooperation and streamline maritime administration. CEMZA would enhance maritime security through better governance and enforcement. Despite the establishment of the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy, Lobese remarked that progress has been limited and emphasized the need to prioritize Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and regional operational coordination centers to improve intelligence sharing and security.
Lobese also highlighted the bridging of responsibilities between naval operations and coast guard functions due to the insufficient dedicated coast guard resources in many African nations. He reiterated the necessity for a collective effort among African navies to effectively address maritime security threats.
As the symposium unfolds alongside Exercise Ibsamar 2024, a collaboration between South Africa, Brazil, and India, it signals a broader commitment to deploying African-led solutions to the continent’s challenges. The discussions at SPAS 24 are poised to lay the groundwork for future cooperation, resource-sharing, and joint maritime exercises, thereby enhancing the role of African navies in safeguarding the continent’s maritime interests amidst shifting global trade dynamics.
