The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) has backed the operationalisation of the Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF) as a continental response to rising piracy, oil theft, illegal fishing and other transnational crimes threatening the Gulf of Guinea.

The decision was adopted at the PSC’s 1346th meeting, where the Council expressed concern over growing insecurity and illicit activities within one of Africa’s most strategic maritime zones.

The PSC said the Gulf of Guinea continues to face threats, including piracy, armed robbery at sea, organised crime, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and illegal dumping of toxic waste, warning that perpetrators and financiers of such crimes must face arrest and prosecution.

The Council also raised concerns over attempts by terrorist groups to expand activities into West Africa’s coastal states, urging stronger cooperation between regional governments, the AU and the United Nations to counter emerging threats.

It stressed that maritime security efforts must go beyond military operations by addressing root causes of insecurity, including strengthening judicial cooperation, extradition arrangements and prosecution systems for maritime crimes such as piracy, trafficking and oil theft.

The AU described the CMTF as a major step towards strengthening Africa’s maritime security architecture and advancing the objectives of the 2050 Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy, the Lomé Charter on Maritime Security and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Council welcomed progress made towards activating the force, including the adoption of its Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and noted plans for the CMTF-Gulf of Guinea flag-off ceremony scheduled for June 1, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.

It commended Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone for indicating operational readiness to participate in the initiative, while encouraging other Gulf of Guinea countries to join.

The PSC further urged AU member states and international partners to support the force with sustainable funding, logistics, technology and intelligence-sharing capacity to ensure effective operations.

According to the Council, the CMTF will serve as Africa’s first standing, ready-to-deploy maritime security force capable of delivering rapid and coordinated responses to threats at sea.