U.S. Navy Partners with Sierra Leone in Major Maritime Security Exercise

In a strong show of support for regional maritime security, the United States Navy has partnered with the Sierra Leone Navy for the 2025 Obangame Express exercise, a major multinational operation aimed at improving maritime safety in West and Central Africa. Now in its 14th year, Obangame Express 2025 brought together 32 nations from Africa, Europe, and North America. The exercise focused on tackling illegal fishing, piracy, drug and human trafficking, and enhancing search and rescue capabilities. It is considered a key initiative to reinforce maritime law enforcement and regional cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea. The U.S. Navy deployed two representatives—Lieutenant Klee and Logistics Specialist First Class Courtney—to Sierra Leone, where they conducted joint training and operational exercises with the Sierra Leone Navy. The collaborative efforts included maritime interdiction drills and strategic information-sharing activities. “This kind of partnership is essential,” said a U.S. Navy spokesperson. “It strengthens our shared commitment to securing maritime borders and fostering regional stability.” A central element of the exercise was the reinforcement of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, a framework signed in 2013 to promote trust and coordination among West and Central African nations. The use of SeaVision, a maritime awareness tool developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, played a key role in the exercise, enabling real-time tracking and information exchange across the region. The U.S. Embassy in Freetown emphasized that this collaboration reflects a broader U.S. commitment to maritime peace and prosperity. “Through Obangame Express, we’re building long-term partnerships that help safeguard the economic and security interests of the entire region,” said a spokesperson from the embassy.