THE PRESENCE OF OTHER COMPETING POWERS IN THE GULF OF GUINEA AND IMPROVED PERFORMANCE OF AFRICOM
The focus of this is on the interrogation of the Presence of other Competing Powers in the Gulf of Guinea and Improved Performance of AFRICOM. The US AFRICOM conducts joint exercises and operations with African partners to enhance interoperability and promote regional cooperation. These exercises, such as Obangame Express and Saharan Express, facilitate information sharing, coordination, and the development of common operational procedures among participating nations. By fostering collaboration, US AFRICOM contributes to a more coordinated and effective response to maritime security threats in the Gulf of Guinea.The study was anchored on the power theory as data collection was based on the qualitative method of data collection. Data collected were analyzed using content analysis and logical data framework. The study found out that maritime security challenges in West Africa include piracy, violent extremism, transnational organized crimes, kidnapping, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, transnational crude oil theft, smuggling, armed robbery, and drug trafficking and also that maritime insecurity has remained prevalent in the Gulf of Guinea, despite the establishment of US Africa Command. In conclusion, the problem in maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea is the high prevalence of piracy, armed robbery at sea, and other maritime crimes. This region, located off the coast of West Africa, has witnessed a significant increase in attacks on vessels, resulting in economic losses, threats to human lives, and disruption of maritime trade.The study, therefore, recommended, among others, that the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) should conduct joint exercises and operations with African partners to enhance interoperability and promote regional cooperation in the sub-region
Keywords: