US-Led Naval Exercise ’Obangame Express 2022’ Kicks Off in Senegal with Moroccan Participation

The start of Obangame Express 2022 was given at the Amiral Faye Gassama naval base in Dakar on March 11, in the presence of foreign naval forces including Morocco and those of the sub-region, explains the US Navy. On this occasion, Captain Mamadou pleaded for the sustainability of the exercise. The 2022 edition includes various activities grouped into three phases: training and personnel training of the participating navies which took place ashore from March 8 to 11, 2022, the at-sea phase started on Saturday, March 12, 2022 and will end on Thursday, March 17, 2022 and finally the third phase, a symposium (Senior Leadership Symposium - SLS) which will be held from March 16 to 18, 2022 at the Amiral Faye Gassama naval base.

Obangame Express is an annual exercise co-organized with the US Naval Forces Command for Africa (US Navaf). This multinational maritime exercise mainly aims to strengthen maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea, by supporting the operationalization of the Yaoundé architecture. "Obangame Express strengthens regional security partnerships and improves our joint ability to ensure safety and security in Africa," said a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Dakar.

In addition to Morocco, the other countries participating in the 2022 edition are: Angola, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Liberia, Namibia, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo and United States.