Second Lieutenant Said Lavani, the Comoros International Liaison Officer at the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Center (RMIFC) in Madagascar and a newly inducted Africa Center alumnus, is at the forefront of efforts to enhance maritime security cooperation in the Western Indian Ocean. In this interview, he highlights the critical role of regional collaboration, intelligence-sharing, and unified security strategies in addressing threats such as piracy and smuggling. He also reflects on his engagement with the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, emphasizing the importance of avoiding duplication of efforts and fostering stronger partnerships among coastal states to create a safer and more secure maritime environment.
Mr. Ilias El Ghormli (IE): The Africa Center for Strategic Studies is so pleased that you are newly inducted into the alumni community based on your participation in the Western Indian Ocean Maritime Security Seminar in Antananrivo, Madagascar from February 24-28, 2025. Can you share any ongoing initiatives or projects you are currently working on that alumni should know about? What are their key objectives, and how do they contribute to your broader mission?
Second LT Said Lavani (SL): One of the key projects I am currently engaged in focuses on maritime safety and security. This initiative is of paramount importance both at the national level for Comoros and at the broader regional level.
The program has established two regional centers with specific mandates to improve maritime security coordination. The first, the Regional Information Center (RCOI), is based in Madagascar and functions as a hub for collecting and disseminating maritime intelligence. The second, the Regional Center for Operational Coordination at Sea (RCOC), is situated in Seychelles and plays a crucial role in coordinating real-time maritime security responses.
What makes this initiative particularly effective is the direct involvement of liaison officers from different Member States. Each country appoints representatives who are physically present in these centers, ensuring seamless communication between national maritime authorities and the regional security framework. My role involves engaging with Comorian national authorities on all maritime security matters within our designated maritime zone and facilitating coordination within the Eastern African, Southern African, and Indian Ocean regions.
This initiative is implemented through the cooperation of Member States including Madagascar, Mauritius, France (on behalf of Réunion), Djibouti, and Kenya. The ultimate goal is to create a structured and cooperative environment where all participating states can share intelligence, collaborate on security responses, and strengthen maritime governance.
Another important initiative I am involved in is the Djibouti Code of Conduct, which is a cooperative framework for capacity building and information sharing among Member States to combat piracy and other maritime crimes. Each participating state designates a national focal point responsible for handling communication between the national authorities and the regional secretariat.
For example, when an issue arises concerning the Coast Guard, the focal point ensures that the relevant authorities receive timely information, access training programs, and participate in regional security exercises. Similarly, if the concern is related to maritime pollution or illegal fishing, the focal point relays the necessary information to environmental and fisheries authorities. My role as the assistant to the national focal point involves coordinating these efforts and ensuring that Comoros remains actively engaged in regional security cooperation.
Recognizing the overlapping goals of the RCOI-RCOC framework and the Djibouti Code of Conduct, efforts have been made to integrate these initiatives under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU was signed during the most recent ministerial meeting on maritime safety and security in Mauritius, where Member States agreed to work towards a unified regional maritime security strategy.
This strategic alignment is essential because most Member States are active in both frameworks, except for Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, and Somalia, which have shown interest in joining. Instead of working in silos, we are now pushing for a collaborative approach that minimizes duplication of efforts and maximizes the effectiveness of regional maritime security policies.
IE: What were your main takeaways from the Western Indian Ocean Maritime Security Seminar, and how did it influence your understanding of maritime security challenges in the region?
SL: The seminar was incredibly enriching and provided me with valuable insights into the broader maritime security landscape. One of the most important aspects was the opportunity to expand my professional network and establish relationships with colleagues not only from East Africa but also from West and Central Africa.
Maritime threats are not confined to one specific region—criminal networks operate across vast maritime spaces. A vessel involved in illegal activities in the Western Indian Ocean today may reappear in the Gulf of Guinea or along the South African coastline tomorrow. Smugglers, human traffickers, and illegal fishing vessels do not recognize national boundaries, which makes cross-regional information sharing absolutely crucial.
One of the most significant moments was the interaction between representatives of the Djibouti Code of Conduct and the Safety for Africa Initiative. Instead of developing separate, parallel strategies, there was a strong push to harmonize efforts and establish a common regional security approach. This was a major breakthrough, as it signals a shift towards a unified security architecture rather than fragmented initiatives that operate independently.
The seminar reinforced the necessity of transnational cooperation in addressing these security challenges. I was particularly encouraged to see regional decision-makers actively engaging in discussions, not just as passive participants but as leaders committed to collective action.
One of the most significant moments was the interaction between representatives of the Djibouti Code of Conduct and the Safety for Africa Initiative. Instead of developing separate, parallel strategies, there was a strong push to harmonize efforts and establish a common regional security approach. This was a major breakthrough, as it signals a shift towards a unified security architecture rather than fragmented initiatives that operate independently.
Another key takeaway was the need to develop stronger regional policies to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. Many of our coastal communities rely on marine resources for their livelihoods, and the depletion of fish stocks due to IUU fishing has severe economic and environmental consequences. Strengthening maritime surveillance and enforcing stricter regulations are crucial steps toward addressing this issue.
Additionally, I gained deeper insights into the technological advancements being deployed for maritime surveillance. Many of our discussions centered around satellite tracking systems, automatic identification systems (AIS), and unmanned aerial surveillance as key tools for enhancing maritime domain awareness. The rapid evolution of these technologies is changing the way we monitor and respond to security threats at sea.
IE: How important is this experience to you?
SL: Being part of this initiative is both a privilege and a great responsibility. Maritime security is an issue that impacts not just governments and law enforcement agencies but also local communities whose livelihoods depend on safe and sustainable maritime environments.
For Comoros, maritime security is directly linked to economic development, environmental sustainability, and regional stability. The ability to work with experts from across Africa and beyond is an invaluable experience that allows me to bring back knowledge, best practices, and strategic recommendations to my home country.
Furthermore, these engagements allow me to contribute to shaping regional policies and ensuring that the interests of smaller island nations like Comoros are adequately represented. It is essential that we continue to foster collaboration, improve maritime governance, and build a safer maritime space for future generations.
I look forward to continuing this work and strengthening regional partnerships that will enhance maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean and beyond.