The future European Union’s role in the Gulf of Guinea: a new CSDP mission at sea?

As a global trading power, the European Union (EU) is extremely dependent on safe oceans for economic development, free trade, maritime transport, energy security, tourism and a good marine environment. Regarding the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), we have been witnessing an ad hoc commitment of EU Member States' military assets only dedicated to maritime capacity-building actions for the security structures of the littoral States, in compliance with national orders and/or bilateral agreements. Apparently, this is due to the fact that the level of risk introduced by piracy/armed robbery at sea against ships in the GoG has been acceptable for the international community, and also for the United Nations Security Council, who considered that phenomenon a regional issue, which should involve regional actors – GoG States and organizations – and the African Union, with the support of international stakeholders, upon requested. In January 2021, the EU implemented the Coordinated Maritime Presences Concept aiming at strengthening its commitment to maritime security in the GoG. In 2022, the incidents were reduced more than 50%. However, the first half of 2023 showed that phenomenon is far from being under control. On the other hand, the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is increasing in the GoG, leading to the erosion of the ocean's living resources. We argue that in the absence of adequate living conditions and livelihoods, some populations in the GoG may have predisposition to engage in alternative activities related to the transnational organized crime. In these circumstances, the EU has to be more proactive to combat piracy / armed robbery in the GoG, so it is paramount to control the IUU fishing, due to the fact that it has the potential to increasing the illegal immigration from Western African coastal states to Europe.