The European Union is helping Cameroon develop a modern surveillance system for its navy. The aim is to improve control of illegal activities such as illegal fishing, piracy and maritime traffic.

The European Union has earmarked €5 million (FCFA 3 billion) for the deployment of a surveillance system for the Cameroonian navy. The aim of this operation is to prevent illegal activities and to monitor and protect natural marine resources.

With this financial support, Cameroon will be able to better equip itself and develop a surveillance system more capable of controlling illegal activities such as unregulated fishing, piracy and maritime trafficking. “By strengthening the capacity of the Cameroonian navy, the aim is to protect maritime resources and guarantee the safety of navigation in the country’s territorial waters,” says a source.

This new operation will be in addition to those carried out by the Bir-delta, an elite unit of the Cameroonian army specialising in the fight against maritime piracy, and Operation Halcomi (Stop the fight against illegal trade), carried out by the Cameroonian customs.

Maritime piracy is on the rise, costing countries in the Gulf of Guinea, including Cameroon, more than $2 billion each year.