AFRICA’S RESPONSE TO MARITIME INSECURITY: AN APPRAISAL OF LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS FOR CURBING MARITIME INSECURITY IN AFRICA

Abstract

Piracy, armed robbery at sea, illegal fishing, trafficking, and maritime terrorism continues to undermine Africa’s economic stability, marine environmental sustainability, and regional integration. While examining the continental, regional, and national frameworks that govern maritime security, this paper undertook a legal evaluation of Africa’s response to these maritime threats. With special focus on the Gulf of Guinea and Nigeria marine environment, the paper critically assessed key institutional and legal frameworks such as the Lomé Charter, regional protocols like the Djibouti Code and the Yaoundé Code and national legislations like Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act (SPOMO), 2019 and NIMASA Act.  Applying the doctrinal research methodology, this paper identified gaps in coordination, enforcement capacity and harmonization of domestic laws. The paper also evaluated the role of international conventions particularly UNCLOS, the SUA Convention, and SOLAS Convention in shaping African maritime governance. The findings suggest that although Africa has developed a robust normative foundation, operational challenges, limited resources, and fragmented institutional arrangements hinder effective maritime security within the region. The paper concludes by proposing strengthened legal harmonization, enhanced regional cooperation, and improved accountability mechanisms to bolster Africa’s capacity to address maritime insecurity comprehensively.