Academic Program
April 14–17, 2026
The Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) will convene a four-day high-level workshop to explore the most effective approaches for developing and establishing a regional maritime security framework aimed at enhancing maritime security in East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. The initiative will ultimately be led by the states in these regions. The workshop will identify strategic and operational gaps and define the requirements for effective regional maritime cooperation.
Program Objectives:
- Promote burden sharing through independent regional operations to ensure protection of international commerce and deter maritime terrorism.
- Respond to the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment (DCoC/JA) request for help by facilitating the development and endorsement by signatory nations, of an operational architecture, and complementing Regional Maritime Security Strategy.
- Using the DCoC/JA WG3 Concept of Operations (CONOPS) (also consider RMSA, and IFC-IOR SOPs) test operational response, information sharing, and legal protocols across a variety of situations (vignettes). This activity will help inform the development of an operational level maritime architecture.
DAY 1
Taking Stock of Maritime Security Cooperation and Coordination Architecture Across the Western Indian Ocean and the DCoC/JA
Section 1
Progress and Current Realities of Maritime Security Cooperation and Coordination initiatives in support of strengthening the DCoC/JA
Objectives:
- Provide an overview and assess progress toward the implementation of the Working Group 3 Concept of Operations (CONOPs), including lessons emerging from recent regional and national efforts.
- Provide an overview and assess progress toward the development of a coherent regional maritime security strategy for the Western Indian Ocean, including alignment with existing regional and international mechanisms.
- Identify key gaps, challenges, and opportunities, and define short- and long-term priority actions aligned to the roadmap for advancing implementation of the CONOPs and completing a viable, state-led regional maritime security strategy.
Moderator:
- BG (ret.) Jon Waweru
Panelists:
- Mr. Kiruja Micheni
International Maritime Organization - Brigadier General Mohamed Shemote
Commander Kenya Navy Fleet
Section 2
Understanding the Architecture: Maritime Security Structures in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden
Objectives:
- Clarify and assess the essential attributes of an effective maritime security architecture supporting joint maritime operations across the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.
- Map key stakeholders, institutional arrangements, and command-and-control (C2) relationships, responsibilities, and authorities.
- Identifying strengths, gaps, and coordination challenges affecting the development of an integrated maritime security architecture
Moderator:
- Mr. William Moeller
POLAD, US Naval Forces Europe and Africa
Panelists:
- Mr. Raj Mohabeer
Officer in Charge, Indian Ocean Commission - Mr. Chris Trelawny
Deputy Secretary General of INTERPORTPOLICE - Ms. Pascaline Alexandre
Independent Consultant
DAY 2
Whole of Government Approaches to Strengthening National Maritime Security
Section 3
Designing and Implementing Integrated National Maritime Security Strategies for Conducting Joint Maritime Operations
Objectives:
- Identify common challenges, opportunities, and good practices encountered by Western Indian Ocean states in designing and implementing integrated national maritime security strategies.
- Identify and assess approaches to translating strategy into action, including the development of actionable implementation plans, governance and security architectures, and mechanisms to ensure operational relevance and sustainability.
- Explore how national maritime security strategies enable and constrain bilateral and regional cooperation, including coordination mechanisms, resource pooling, and participation in joint and combined maritime operations.
Moderator:
- Ambassador Robert K. Scott
DCME, U.S Africa Command
Panelists:
- Mr. Timothy Walker
Maritime Project Leader & Senior Researcher - CAPT Cyrille Atonfack
Technical Advisor to the Minister of Defense & Head of Communication Division
Section 4
Enabling National Maritime Operations: National Maritime Information Sharing Centers (NMISCs) and National Maritime Security Centers (NMSCs)
Objectives:
- Examine institutional models, mandates, and functional roles of NMISCs and NMSCs in support of national level maritime domain awareness, interagency – whole government coordination, and operational-level decision-making.
- Identify established best practices and common challenges when establishing legal frameworks, interagency agreements, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and information-sharing protocols at the national level for enhancing operational and legal finish.
- Explore mechanisms for effective interagency coordination and linkages to bilateral and regional maritime security arrangements and operations.
Moderator:
- BG (ret.) Jon Waweru
Panelists:
- Brigadier General Mohamed Shemote
Commander Kenya Navy Fleet - Colonel Wais Omar Bogoreh
Commander, Djibouti Coast Guar - SP Outam Kumar Guness
Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Police for Mauritius
DAY 3
Regional Maritime Security Architecture — From Strategy to Regional Joint Operations
Section 5
Regional Maritime Security Strategy Development and Implementation
Objectives:
- Clarify the core security objectives, priorities, and scope of the emerging regional maritime security strategy under the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah (DCoC/JA) Amendment, including how these apply across the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.
- Examine best practices and existing mechanisms for ensuring a practical basis for implementation, including how regional strategies can be designed to translate into actionable guidance for national, bilateral, and regional authorities, responsibilities, cooperation, and coordination mechanisms.
- Identify opportunities and challenges for harmonizing national maritime security strategies, capacities, and capabilities aligned with the regional strategy.
Moderator:
- Mr. Lawrence Dogli
Programmes Manager, Gulf of Guinea Maritime Institute
Panelists:
- Dr. Christian Beuger
University of Copenhagen - Mr. Kiruja Micheni
International Maritime Organization - Mr. Simon Church
Special Advisor to the Gulf of Guinea SHADE Co-Chairs
Section 6
Regional Maritime Security Architecture (RMSA): Information Sharing and Operational Coordination
Objectives:
- Identify and organize the core regional and sub-regional actors, including the RCOC and RMIFC, Indian Ocean Rim Association, and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium that are integral to RMSA operations and implementation.
- Clarify roles, responsibilities, and authorities mandated, and reporting relationships among regional states aligned within the RMSA, to include the integration of NMSCs and NMISCs.
- Examine the mechanisms that link national-level actors, including National Maritime Information Sharing Centers (NMISCs) and multiagency coordination centers, to regional institutions for information exchange, coordination, and support to maritime operations.
Moderator:
- CAPT Mark Blaine
Stellenbosch University
Panelists:
- CAPT Harifidy Andrianjaka Alex Ralaiarivony
Director, RMIFC - Major Gerald Wong-Pool
Director, RCOC - CDR Abhinav Sood
Director, Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region
DAY 4
Lessons Learned and the Way Forward
Closing Session
Progress and Current Realities of Maritime Security Cooperation and Coordination initiatives in support of strengthening the DCoC/JA
Objectives:
- Synthesize key accomplishments and outcomes of the workshop across strategy, architecture, and operational coordination discussions.
- Reflect on critical insights and discoveries—both strengths and challenges—that emerged during the workshop and simulation exercise.
- Identify priority short- and long-term next steps, including practical actions for national authorities, regional institutions, and partners to advance maritime security cooperation in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
Moderator:
- Dr. Assis Malaquias
Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs, Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Panelists:
- Mr. Kiruja Micheni
International Maritime Organization - Brigadier General Mohamed Shemote
Commander Kenya Navy Fleet - Ambassador Robert K. Scott
DCME, U.S Africa Command