AU Delegation Commends Seychelles’ Maritime Security and Coordination Model
The African Union delegation, led by His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, yesterday undertook a familiarisation visit to the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC), the National Information Sharing and Coordination Centre (NISCC) and Regional Fusion and Law Enforcement Centre for Safety and Security at Sea (REFLECS3).
The visit provided the delegation with an overview of how these centres work together at both the national and regional levels to address a broad range of maritime challenges, including maritime safety and security, legal cooperation and the fight against illicit activities at sea.
During a series of briefings, the delegation received an overview of the coordination mechanisms, systems and technologies that enable the RCOC and NISCC to effectively monitor and respond across Seychelles' vast maritime zone. The presentations also highlighted the strong partnerships that underpin regional maritime domain awareness and information sharing.
The delegation commended Seychelles for the efficiency of its maritime security architecture, noting that the country's model of coordination and information sharing could serve as a valuable example for other African nations. The importance of collaboration, coordination, and the timely exchange of information was highlighted as essential in addressing today's evolving maritime threats.
The Minister for Homeland Security and Civil Affairs, Mr. James Camille, also provided an overview of the establishment and evolution of the centres, highlighting their expanding role in strengthening maritime governance and security across the Western Indian Ocean region.
Speaking during the visit, H.E. Youssouf underscored the growing importance of maritime security, observing that many of today's emerging threats originate at sea. He reaffirmed the strategic importance of coastal nations, stating, "coastal countries are important to our development."
The visit reaffirmed Seychelles' commitment to regional cooperation and continued leadership in advancing maritime safety, security and sustainable ocean governance across Africa