Military Drills: Morocco takes part in US Obangame Express 2021

Morocco takes part in the Obangame Express 2021, conducted by the US Naval Forces Africa, the major multinational naval exercise in West Africa designed to improve regional tactical cooperation to counter common security threats.

 

The announcement was made by the US Africa Command in a press release. The ongoing two-week OE-21 exercise, which started March 14 in the Gulf of Guinea and Atlantic Ocean, comes few days after Morocco’s Royal Navy & Air Forces and the US navy carried out a joint maritime exercise, “Lightning Handshake”, aimed at enhancing their interoperability.

 

“Obangame Express allows us to develop skills, with our regional partners, that will have a lasting impact on regional security in the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean,” said Rear Adm. Michael Baze, Director of Maritime Headquarters, US Naval Forces Africa.

 

Besides the United States and Morocco, the list of participating countries in OE-21 includes Angola, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Liberia, Namibia, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

 

Also participating will be the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).