THE GAMBIA NAVY STRENGTHENS MARITIME SECURITY ROLE IN OBANGAME EXPRESS 2026
The Gambia Navy (GN) has reaffirmed its growing role in regional maritime security through its active participation in Obangame Express 2026 (OE26), a major multinational naval exercise held from 19 to 30 April 2026 across the Gulf of Guinea.
The annual exercise, led by the United States Africa Command and the United States Sixth Fleet, brought together naval forces from across West and Central Africa alongside international partners. Its core objective is to strengthen Maritime Security Operations under the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, promoting collaboration against shared maritime threats.
Throughout the exercis, participants from the Gambia Navy were engaged in a series of specialized training and coordination activities across multiple strategic locations. In Dakar, sailors underwent intensive Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training, sharpening their skills in boarding operations, interdiction tactics, and maritime law enforcement.
In Douala, officers participated in a Maritime Rule of Law Tabletop Exercise, designed to deepen their understanding of legal processes, prosecution frameworks, and inter-agency collaboration required to effectively combat maritime crime.
Further reinforcing regional cooperation, Gambian officers also contributed to multinational coordination efforts in Praia. Operating through the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre under the guidance of the Economic Community of West African States, this component emphasized intelligence sharing, joint planning, and coordinated responses to transnational threats.
The exercise culminated in a four-day sea phase from 27 to 30 April 2026, conducted within the Exclusive Economic Zones of Zone G countries, including Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, and Senegal, as well as partner nations such as Mauritania and Morocco.
The drills showcased improved interoperability and joint operational readiness among participating navies and coast guards.
The Gambia Navy’s involvement in OE26 comes at a time of increasing maritime challenges in the region, including narcotics trafficking, irregular migration, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Participation in the exercise not only enhances operational readiness but also provides critical exposure to advanced naval practices and technologies.
As maritime threats grow more complex, the Gambia Armed Forces continues to prioritize regional cooperation and capacity building. Its engagement in Obangame Express 2026 reflects a sustained commitment to safeguarding national waters while contributing to peace, stability, and security across the Gulf of Guinea.
Source : Gambia Armed Forces
