OBANGAME EXPRESS 2026 EXERCISE: FINAL PLANNING EVENT FROM 10 TO 13 MARCH 2026 IN DOUALA
Organized under the auspices of the United States of America (USA), the fifteenth edition of the multinational exercise Obangame Express will take place from 23 to 29 April 2026 in the Gulf of Guinea, under a new era of African leadership supported by the USA: “Africa Led – USA Enabled.”
This theme refers to the fact that, for the very first time, an African country (Cameroon) is taking the leadership in planning of the exercise.
This final planning event, which is taking place in Douala from 10 to 13 March, has as its overall objective, the consolidation of the outcomes achieved during previous planning sessions. It is being conducted in the presence of nineteen (19) Gulf of Guinea countries, seven (7) countries from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), one (1) South American country, three (3) Maghreb countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania), two (2) international organizations (UNODC, INTERPOL), as well as the components of the Yaoundé Architecture.
Navy Captain NGONGE SONE Emmanuel, Technical Inspector of the Navy and representing Vice-Admiral MENDOUA Jean, Chief of Naval Staff, in his opening remarks, expressed his gratitude to the USA for the role entrusted to Cameroon in this exercise.
He subsequently expressed Cameroon’s pride, noting that the responsibility entrusted to the country represents recognition of its sustained efforts in promoting maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. He also reiterated his gratitude to the United States for their continued support in strengthening the maritime security capacities of countries in the region.
The proceedings, now underway, will conclude on Friday, 13 March 2026, with the finalization of the scenarios to be carried out during the upcoming exercise.
Source : Cameroon Navy
