AFRICOM Leader Focuses on African Maritime Security in the West Indian Ocean

Ambassador Robert Scott, deputy commander for civil-military engagement at U.S. Africa Command, visited Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles May 11-18 to meet with partner nation government officials and discuss the countries’ regional efforts to address maritime security challenges.

“This was a valuable trip, and I was able to meet and have good discussions with ministers in all three nations,” Scott said. “I also visited coast guard facilities and the regional maritime information and operations centers in Madagascar and Seychelles.”

While in Port Louis, Mauritius, Scott conducted an office call with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, The Honorable Maneesh Gobin, followed by a meeting with the Secretary of Home Affairs Ravi Meettook.

“It was an honor to meet with Minister Gobin and discuss the enduring partnership between the United States and Mauritius,” Scott said. “Our discussions highlighted the shared commitment to addressing maritime security challenges and fostering regional stability, crucial for both our nations’ interests.”

Scott said his meeting with Secretary Meettook was highly productive as well.

“We explored avenues for enhanced cooperation in civil-military engagement, focusing on strengthening our collaborative efforts to ensure the safety and security of Mauritius and the broader Indian Ocean region,” he said.

The ambassador also met with Rashidali Issa Beekun, Deputy Commissioner of Police; Chetanandsingh Dawonauth, Superintendent of Police; and Captain C.G. Binoop, Commandant of the National Coast Guard, at the at the Line Barracks Police Station. The visit was followed by a tour conducted by the National Coast Guard including walkthroughs of the MCGS Barracuda and MCGS Victory.

In Seychelles, Ambassador Scott met with Foreign Affairs and Tourism Principal Secretary Ambassador Vivian Fock Tave and Minister of Internal Affairs Erik Fonseka.

“It was an honor to engage with Ambassador Fock Tave and Minister Fonseka,” Scott said. “Our discussions underscored the robust partnership between the United States and Seychelles, particularly in maritime security. Their insights and commitment are invaluable as we work together to strengthen regional stability and security.”

Following these meetings, Chief of Defense Forces Brigadier Michael Rosette and Chief of Staff Colonel Jean Attala led a tour of the Seychelles Coast Guard base. Scott also conducted an office call with Designated Minister for Fisheries and Blue Economy, Jean-Francois Ferrari.

A focus throughout the trip was on the impact to the countries and ways to counter maritime security challenges the islands face, in waters that are seeing increasing traffic.

“Piracy, IUU fishing, trafficking, and other maritime security challenges severely impact the economies of African coastal nations,” Scott said. “Supporting their efforts is crucial, especially given the increased maritime traffic due to the conflict in the Gulf of Aden.”

Scott’s visits to the Regional Coordination Operations Centre in Seychelles and Regional Maritime Information Fusion Center in Madagascar showcased how nations in the West Indian Ocean are working to counter these challenges.

The RCOC and the RMIFC are pivotal components of the Regional Maritime Security Architecture for the Western Indian Ocean. Funded by the EU’s Maritime Security in Eastern & Southern Africa & Indian Ocean (MASE) program and led by the Indian Ocean Commission, these centers focus on information exchange, sharing, and joint maritime operations. The centers focus on information exchange and sharing, and joint operations at sea. Working from information and intelligence provided from the RMIFC, the RCOC coordinates regional operations to combat illegal maritime activities.

The ambassador’s visit highlights U.S. Africa Command’s 3D approach, which leverages diplomacy, development, and defense collaboration.

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is one of 11 U.S. Department of Defense combatant commands, each with a geographic or functional mission that provides command and control of military forces in peace and war. U.S. Africa Command employs the broad-reaching diplomacy, development, and defense approach to foster interagency efforts and help negate the drivers of conflict and extremism in Africa.

By U.S. AFRICA COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS ,  United States Africa Command