POINTE AUX PIMENTS, Mauritius –
Military and government leaders from 45 nations gathered in the Republic of Mauritius to participate in the third annual Africa Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS), hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR/NAVAF) and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe-Africa (MARFOREUR/AF), June 23-26, 2025.
AMFS is a strategic-level forum that brings maritime and naval infantry leaders together to address transnational maritime security challenges within African waters including the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea. The summit directly aligns with the spirit of cooperation and collaboration fostered by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). This multinational engagement highlighted the shared maritime challenges that the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and its partners are committed to addressing together.
“The presence of 45 nations at this year’s African Maritime Forces Summit reflected a shared understanding that the maritime security challenges we face in this region have global impacts and demand collective action,” said Adm. Stuart B. Munsch, commander, NAVEUR/NAVAF. “This summit represented the shared commitment of all represented nations in securing the African maritime domain, which underpins international stability, economic development, and the rule of law.”
MARFOREUR/AF co-hosted AMFS and remains committed to supporting AFRICOM’s priority of enhancing African maritime security on the African continent through engagements that strengthen regional partnerships, address shared maritime challenges, and promote a stable and secure maritime domain.
“Together, we have both the ability and the responsibility to help build a more secure, stable, and prosperous future,” said Maj. Gen. Robert Sofge, commander, MARFOREUR/AF. “The power of naval maneuver – in those spaces where the land meets the sea – creates an opportunity for real impact. Most importantly, it’s the military-to-military relationships we’re forging across 45 nations that make lasting security possible. This is what AMFS is all about: unity of effort, partnership, and advancing African-led solutions to shared maritime challenges.”
AMFS 2025 was hosted in the Republic of Mauritius, a strategic crossroads linking Africa, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific. This location underscored the importance of Africa’s maritime domain across these interconnected regions, and the effort required to ensure its security.
Expanding on the progress made at AMFS 2024, this year’s summit deepened regional and international cooperation in the Western Indian Ocean and drove collective efforts to counter maritime threats across Africa.
“To address today’s evolving security challenges, especially in the African maritime domain, we must unify our diverse maritime forces into a seamless, all-domain approach,” said Rear Adm. Michael Mattis, Director of Strategic Effects, NAVEUR/NAVAF. “Our navies, marines and naval infantry, and coast guards each bring unique strengths, and their integration is essential. As we’ve seen in recent conflicts, unmanned and other non-traditional systems are no longer future concepts – they are essential capabilities that are already reshaping naval operations and strengthening regional security.”
AMFS featured a series of expert-led panels with senior leaders from across the participating nations, which focused on critical topics such as regional maritime threats, the strategic importance of interconnected oceans, and the development of robust, cooperative maritime security mechanisms. These discussions emphasized the impact that threats such as piracy, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and trafficking have on regional security and global stability.
In addition to the panels, AMFS facilitated key leader engagements between NAVAF, MARFORAF, and representatives from attending nations. These conversations aimed at identifying practical, collaborative solutions to strengthen maritime governance and counter shared threats across the African littorals.
This year’s summit also combined AMFS with the Africa Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference.
“For AMFS 2025, we were lucky enough to have dozens of senior leaders attend from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America,” stated Sgt. Maj. Roland McGinniss, sergeant major, MARFOREUR/AF. “Development of our senior enlisted leaders and our non-commissioned officer corps has been a focus for years, but we really brought it to the forefront of the conference this year. Through frank discussions focused on the exercises and exchanges in the future, we have really seized the momentum in regards to increasing the readiness, lethality and professionalism of the personnel who are really the backbones of our navies, naval infantries, and coast guards.”
Throughout the summit, the NAVEUR/NAVAF Band performed in collaboration with the Mauritius Police Band, sharing the musical traditions of both nations. Their joint performances served as a powerful symbol of unity, cultural exchange, and mutual respect. Together, the bands represented the spirit of partnership that defines AMFS, and demonstrated how art and tradition can reinforce the bonds between nations.
AMFS successfully concluded, June 26, marking another significant step in responding to the complex and dynamic challenges in the Western Indian Ocean and advancing maritime security across Africa. “By addressing persistent threats and emphasizing the development of robust regional mechanisms, this summit reaffirmed that we move forward farther together,” said Adm. Munsch. “Through shared commitment, interoperability among our maritime forces, and a comprehensive, all-domain approach, we will continue to achieve our maritime security objectives together to achieve regional security and international prosperity.”
Following the summit, NAVEUR/NAVAF leadership traveled to the Republic of Seychelles to continue dialogue with national leaders. Rear Adm. Mattis met with the Chief of Defence Forces of the Seychelles People's Defence Forces, Commander of the Seychelles Coast Guard, Minister of Internal Affairs, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism to discuss collaboration and to enhance maritime domain awareness. This visit took place in the lead-up to Seychelles’ Independence Day celebrations.
MARFOREUR/AF serves as the Marine Corps' service component to U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and AFRICOM, providing a flexible, forward-deployed amphibious force to enhance regional security, deter aggression, and respond to crises.
For over 80 years, NAVEUR/NAVAF has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR/NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the EUCOM and AFRICOM areas of responsibility.