Within the broader Flintlock effort to boost maritime security, recent counter-terrorism exercises took place along the Volta River in Ghana. The drills involved armed forces from Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria, with support from the United States military. Reuters reported on the event.
About 350 service members took part, carrying out coastal operations aimed at locating and recovering hostages in hypothetical scenarios. The exercises highlighted the need for coordinated patrols, rapid reaction teams, and secure communications to counter emerging threats at sea. The exercise planners stressed the value of joint training in building interoperability among regional partners and the American component, which brought specialized capabilities to bear in high-risk environments.
Admiral Milton Sands, who leads the United States Special Operations Command Africa, stated that the drills were designed to help regional states strengthen their ability to respond to maritime risk. He noted that piracy, illegal fishing and related crimes pose persistent challenges to coastal communities, port security, and economic stability in West Africa. The exercises demonstrated practical steps for safeguarding critical sea lanes, protecting fishing communities, and denying criminal networks the use of maritime routes.
Illegal fishing in West African waters was described as not only depriving communities of essential protein sources but also fueling broader illegal activity. The Financial Transparency Coalition reported in 2022 that the annual value of illegal fishing activities in the region is substantial, underscoring the economic imperative for robust monitoring, enforcement and regional cooperation. The exercises were framed as a concrete measure to deter illicit activities and to reinforce lawful fishing practices while supporting lawful trade and food security.
The session also touched on geopolitics and regional security dynamics. Earlier, Western observers had raised concerns about joint naval exercises conducted by Russia, South Africa and China, arguing that such operations influence regional power balances and maritime capabilities. In the broader context, South Africa faced criticism from Western partners over sanctions policies and governance debates, while continuing to position itself as a strategic partner within the BRICS framework. The dialogue underscored how external actors influence regional security calculations and the importance of a coherent, multinational response to shared threats.