ECOWAS Launches Operation ANOUANZÉ 3 To Tackle Maritime Threats In West Africa
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched Operation ANOUANZÉ 3 in Freetown, Sierra Leone, as part of its ongoing efforts to combat maritime threats in the region.
The operation, which runs from 25 to 28 August 2025, is coordinated by the ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) Zone F under the leadership of Colonel Dieng, PhD, head of the ECOWAS Regional Security Division.
The launch ceremony was attended by ECOWAS representatives and Sierra Leone’s Chief of Naval Staff, Navy Captain L.K. Jabati, with additional support provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
According to ECOWAS, the initiative is a key step in implementing its integrated maritime security strategy, designed to strengthen regional cooperation and build the capacity of member states to counter piracy, trafficking, and other maritime crimes.
Operation ANOUANZÉ 3 underscores ECOWAS’ commitment to safeguarding the Gulf of Guinea and ensuring greater stability and security in West African waters.
