Following attempts to deal with emerging maritime crime along Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana maritime boundary, both countries conducted a joint operation codenamed OPERATION ANOUANZE from 24 – 25 August 2021.The overall objective and purpose of the operation are to enhance coordinated inter-state and interagency collaboration, cooperation and coordination for an effective state(s) action at sea within the EEZs of Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. The specific objectives include the following:
- Disruption of illegal fishing, illegal bunkering and related activities along the Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana maritime border area.
- Show collective maritime presence to deter, prevent and interdict criminals at sea.
- Improvement of tactical proficiency of the participating units and assets in conducting a real-time intercept of contact(s) of interest at sea.
- Reinforcement of states’ control over the boundary area to prevent it from becoming a criminal hub.
