RABAT, Morocco –
Adm. George Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, met July 21 with Capitão de Navio Kahbi Yassine Fonseca Pereira Batista, commander of the Cabo Verde Coast Guard, during the African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) to discuss maritime governance, professional development and regional cooperation.
Cabo Verde hosted the inaugural African Maritime Forces Summit in 2023 and has participated in each summit since. Its location in the Atlantic and experience in maritime law enforcement and regional information sharing provide an important perspective on the security challenges facing West African maritime forces.
The leaders discussed maritime domain awareness, professional military education and the relationship between successful operations at sea and effective legal processes ashore. They also exchanged perspectives on improving operational assessments and applying lessons from multinational engagements to future missions.
“Cabo Verde’s emphasis on professional education, maritime governance and continuous improvement reflects the kind of sustained effort required to strengthen maritime security,” said Wikoff. “When maritime forces pair operational capability with trained professionals and effective legal frameworks, they are better prepared to protect their waters and address shared regional challenges.”
The discussion also addressed the value of maritime information sharing and practical cooperation among navies, coast guards and other law-enforcement organizations operating across the region.
“The value of these engagements is found in what partners carry forward into their daily operations,” Wikoff said. “Sharing experience, assessing our performance honestly and applying those lessons helps all of us become more effective maritime partners.”
Co-hosted by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, AMFS brought together representatives from more than 40 African and partner nations under the theme, “Innovation and Partnership to Strengthen Maritime Security.”