14 October – 18 October 2024
The fundamental purpose of the 5th SPAS 24 is to provide a forum for African Naval Leaders to discuss common maritime challenges and opportunities to enhance maritime security and cooperation on the African Continent.
Placing Navies at the Centre
Panel Chair: Dr M.B. Khanyile
Stellenbosch University
Dilemmas, Threats and Acquisitions
Chair: Capt (N) (Ret) M.S. Blaine
Stellenbosch University
Maritime Security
Chair: Ambassador (Dr) N. Karigithu
MARITIME SECURITY
Senior Captain Lyu Xianchen is a research fellow of the Naval Research Institute (NVRI), Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). He was born in June 1978, and graduated from Naval University of Engineering (NUE) and Naval Command College (NCC), earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a Master's degree in Military Sciences. He has been privileged to serve onboard frigates, destroyers, and ashore at the North Sea Fleet HQ in Qingdao, China. His research interests include naval strategy, maritime security policy, and the development of a maritime community with a shared future. He has participated in vessel protection operations in the Gulf of Aden and waters off the coast of Somali with the PLAN ETGs. He has taken part in multiple joint exercises and port visits, and attended international conferences in the UK, ROK, Singapore, Indonesia, etc.
Maritime Strategy
George vanDyck is a maritime logistics and transport expert with over 15 years of sector-related experience. Currently a Programme Leader and Lecturer in Business Strategy and Operations at the University of Plymouth, UK, George has a rich background within the maritime sector spanning teaching, research and consultancy. He holds a Doctorate in Transport Economics and Management from Shanghai Maritime University and a Master’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Cranfield University. Before joining the University of Plymouth, George served as the Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Studies at the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Accra, Ghana, and previously, as the Coordinator for the School of Graduate Studies at RMU. George's research is centred on critical maritime issues such as port development and competitiveness, maritime policy and governance, and maritime security, particularly in Africa. His work is driven by a genuine passion for finding solutions that address the complex challenges faced by the maritime industry. In addition to his academic and research commitments, George is committed to professional excellence and is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), a Member of the International Association of Maritime Economists, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has served on numerous boards and committees at both local and national levels.
Maritime Diplomacy
Lisa Otto is an Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the NRF-SARChI Chair in African Diplomacy and Foreign Policy at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), as well as co-editor in chief of the journal African Security Review. She holds a D.Litt et Phil in Political Studies from UJ and a MA in International Peace and Security from King’s College London. She has specialised in African issues related to conflict, security, foreign affairs, and diplomacy and has developed specific expertise in maritime security and ocean politics as well as climate change in this context. Some of her recent work includes the article 'Exploring maritime diplomacy of small island developing states in Africa: cases of Mauritius and Seychelles', published in the Journal of the Indian Ocean Region in 2022. A volume she co-edited, entitled Global Challenges in Maritime Security: Sustainability and the Sea is being published by Springer in 2024.
Capacity Building
Ms Vadgama is the Deputy Head of UNODC’s Global Maritime Crime Programme. The Global Maritime Crime Programme is part of UNODC’s Border Management Branch and focuses on providing maritime law enforcement personnel and prosecutors with the skills they need to tackle maritime crime during patrolling at sea, in ports and in court, as well as the exercise of flag state jurisdiction related to crimes committed onboard vessels. This role entails providing strategic support to the entire programme and maintain dialogue/relationships with key counterparts, including donors, national interlocutors and likeminded international partners. She has worked for UNODC for 8 years. Prior to this role, Ms Vadgama led the UNODC GMCP Indian Ocean West that various capacity building initiatives supporting the entire criminal justice chain, aimed at helping Member States enhance their ability to combat maritime crime in the region. The programme delivers various interventions supporting law enforcement, investigations, prosecution, adjudication and detention, in 13 littoral states across the Indian Ocean. Prior to joining UNODC, Ms. Vadgama worked for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office for 10 years on the Counter Terrorism and Security Sector Reform Programmes based in Kenya and Somalia. She holds a Degree in Criminology.
Naval Threats and Acquisitions
Current Position: Executive Chair of Sandock Austral Group Holdings (Defence and Security). Chair of LogiDist Group (Diversified Investment Co). Chair of Tseba Tanks and Steel Structures (Steel Manufacturing Co). Chair of PalletBiz SADC (Regional pallet manufacturer). Chairperson of the Future Defence and Innovation Committee of AMD Board. Exprience: Dr Zondi spent 12 years working as senior Official in the National Department of Defence in South Africa. He joined the Department of Defence as Head of Defence Supply Chain Integration, responsible for supply chain process design, logistics repositioning and material governance within the Department. He was later appointed Chief Defence Material responsible for armaments acquisition, industry support, research and development, technology management and oversight of procurement Agency. Before joining Defence, Dr Zondi worked as an executive manager for PetroSA responsible for offshore support logistics operations. Before that he spent four years with Transnet in various positions, including Chief Operations Manager in Richards Bay Terminals, and National Capacity Planning Manager in the Transnet Port Operations Container Business. Dr Zondi has more than 25 years Industry and public sector experience. He has also served as Board Member of SA Space Agency (inaugural Board of SANSA). Dr Zondi is a registered Chartered Engineer with UK Engineering Council. He is a member of the Welding Institute (UK); SA Institute of Mechanical Engineers; American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Institute of Certified Mechanical and Electrical Engineers.
Born on the 27th of June 1972 in Dschang, in the West Region of Cameroon, Navy Captain ATONFACK GUEMO Cyrille Serge is a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Sciences obtained in 1994 from the University of Yaoundé II. He is also a 1998 graduate of the higher military school of management and maritime law in Toulon, France. In 2007, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Maritime Law from the European Institute of Marine Studies (Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer - IUEM) in Brest, France, and concomitantly completed a full cycle of training on International Humanitarian Law offered by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law in San Remo, Italy. To complete his career in maritime law, he benefited from a professional internship at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg, Germany in 2008. Between 2010 and 2013, he occupied various Staff positions at Cameroon’s Ministry of Defence. During this period, he was also a lecturer on Maritime Law at the Research Centre for Political and Strategic Studies (Centre de Recherches et d’Etudes Politiques et Stratégiques - CREPS) of the University of Yaounde II. Since July 2013, he is the rapporteur of the Operational Cell of the National Committee setup to follow up the implementation of decisions stemming from the Summit of Heads of State and Government, members of ECCAS, ECOWAS, and GGC on maritime safety and security in the Gulf of G uinea, held in Yaounde on the 24th and 25th of June 2013. The Operational Cell’s first project was the Interregional Coordination Centre (ICC) for maritime safety and security in Central and West Africa. Navy Captain ATONFACK GUEMO currently serve, since March 2016, as the Technical adviser to the Minister of Defence, and concomitantly the Head of the Communication Division, Spokesperson for the Cameroonian Armed Forces, since February 2019. Navy Captain ATONFACK GUEMO has published many articles on maritime security, and has been awarded several national and foreign decorations.
Responding to events in the Red Sea
Introduction An accomplished Security and International Relations Consultant with 30+ years of military and leadership experience, seeking roles in strategic leadership, security, international relations, and wildlife conservation. I am very interested in the maritime security sphere and the blue economy. The dissertation for my doctoral studies is on: “Maritime Security and the Blue Economy: A Critical Analysis of Kenya’s Integrated Approach”. I am skilled in the following areas: Strategic Leadership, Security Expertise, and Organizational Skills. Professional experience I also served as Director General, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi (2019 – 2023) and transformed KWS into a leading wildlife conservation organization in Eastern Africa by implementing strategic plans for wildlife security and international collaboration. In addition, I served in the following postings: -Senior Directing Staff, National Defence College, Nairobi (2013 – 2019) -Facilitated advanced strategic training in security and mentored future leaders. -Deputy Commander, Kenya Naval Forces, Mombasa (2011 - 2013) -Led strategic naval operations and international collaborations. Educational Qualifications These include the following. PhD in International Studies (Awaiting Graduation, 2024) Master of Management (Security), University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (2014) Post-Graduate Diploma in Management (Security), University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (2008) Diploma in International Studies, University of Nairobi (2005) Diploma in Naval Science, Royal Navy, UK (1988)
Navies in the South Atlantic
Érico Duarte is an associate professor of Strategic Studies and International Relations at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, a senior fellow at the National Defense College, and a non-resident scholar at the Naval War College, Brazil. He was a Ridgway Scholar at the US Army Heritage and Education Center, a visiting fellow at the Joseph Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, Corbett Centre for Maritime Policy Studies at King's College, Institute for Peace Studies and Security Policies (IFSH) at Hamburg University, Rui Barbosa Chair at Leiden University and Joaquim Chissano University in Mozambique. He has collaborated with the Brazilian Air Force University, Army Command and General Staff School, Army Artillery Command, and Navy General Staff. He has a PhD and an MSc in Strategic Studies from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Brasilia. Along with Angolan Brigadier Manuel Correia de Barros, he has edited Maritime Security Challenges in the South Atlantic and Navies and Maritime Policies in the South Atlantic, both by Palgrave Macmillan.
Navies and Security Provision
Captain Ranendra Singh Sawan was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 01 July 1996. He is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and has specialised in Navigation and Direction (ND). He has served on four Indian Navy ships as Navigating Ofcer and has also been the Executive Ofcer of a Missile Vessel. His sea command assignments include an Interceptor Craft of the Indian Coast Guard, and an Antisubmarine Patrol Vessel. He has also served in operational appointments ashore which includes a staff tenure at the Naval Headquarters in New Delhi. He has also been a Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, India. Captain Sawan has contributed papers and articles in various professional journals and was also selected as a Visiting Navy Fellow at the Sea Power Centre, Australia in 2020. He participated in the Comprehensive Security Cooperation Course (CSC 22-3) in 2022 at the DKI-APCSS, Hawaii. He is a Ph.D. (Defence and Strategic Studies) candidate at the Naval War College, Goa, and is working on a thesis titled ‘India’s Minimum Deterrence Posture in the South Asian Context: A Study on Credibility and Quantication’. He also holds an MPhil (Defence and Strategic Studies) degree from the University of Madras. He is currently appointed at the National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi as a Research Fellow. His areas of research interest include maritime security cooperation in the Indo- Pacic, military strategic and operational concepts applicable to the maritime domain, and nuclear deterrence.
Speaker From SA Navy
R Adm Matsane was born 24 December in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga in South Africa. He attended primary and high school in the same area. He joined the South African Navy in 1998. He completed his bachelor degree at the faculty of Military Science, University of Stellenbosch. He completed his Joint Staff Course at Defence Service Staff College in Wellington, India. He completed his Masters at the University of Madras in India. He served as Communication officer and operations Officer onboard SAS DRAKENSBERG. R Adm Matsane served as the Acting Navigation Officer and Anti-Air Warfare Officer on board frigates, SAS ISANDLWANA and SAS SPIEONKOP respectively. He served as the Operation Officer and Executive Officer onboard the submarine, SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE. He commanded a submarine SAS QUEEN MODJADJI I. He served as the Submarine Squadron Commander also known as Senior Submarine Officer. He completed Security and Defence Studies Programme in 2019 at the South African National Defence College. He was Director maritime Warfare for the past three and half years just before recently appointed as the Flag Officer Fleet and promoted to Rear Admiral. R Adm Matsane sailed on tall ship B.E. ESMERALDA from Chile. He sailed a Cape to Rio race in 2003 and several yacht races around South Africa on a 44ft yacht, UMOYA OMUCHA.
Cybersecurity and Subsea Cables
Dr. Osei Bonsu Dickson is a distinguished national security lawyer and policy expert in maritime cybersecurity. He Chaired the National Maritime Technical Working Group that developed Ghana's National Integrated Maritime Strategy (NIMS). In January 2024, he was appointed Deputy National Security Coordinator by the President of Ghana and subsequently Technical Advisor to the SEC on cyber policy. He served as Coordinator of the International Maritime Committee set up under the United States – Ghana Security Governance Initiative (SGI); He is a Member of the Governing Board of the Ghana Boundary Commission which oversees delimitation of maritime boundaries, and Adjunct Lecturer in Maritime Law and Strategy at the University of Ghana School of Law. His leadership has been pivotal in addressing the multifaceted cyber and national security threats facing Africa's ports and subsea infrastructure. Dr. Dickson is the author of several publications on national security and a notable speaker at major regional and international conferences dealing with African cyber and maritime policy. A recipient of numerous merit awards, he is the 2024 National Communications Award Winner of the Exemplary Cybersecurity Personality of the Year. He is a 2024 Harvard Berkman Klein Center Honorary Speaker and Owner of a new Digital dog – LexMu AI. He was educated at the University of Ghana, Ghana School of Law, Harvard University and Rushford Business School.
Role of the AU
Ms Pascaline ALEXANDRE is a strategic communication and competitive intelligence practitioner with 17 years of experience. Over the past 9 years, she has been working in the maritime security domain and international cooperation in Eastern, Southern Africa, Indian Ocean (ESA-IO) and Central Africa. She has developed a broad experience in regional cooperation through her work with the EU MASE Programme and the Contact Group on Illicit Maritime Activities (ex CGPCS) via the Indian Ocean Commission. She has worked closely with various Regional Economic Communities namely COMESA, EAC and IGAD on different maritime issues. She was recently based in Gabon and worked for another EU regional project, supporting the ECCAS in Central Africa in implementing their Maritime Security objectives. Pascaline collaborated with the United Nations Counter Terrorism Centre, to develop a “Compendium on good practices for maritime border management to Counter Terrorism for ESA-IO”. She led the organisation of high-level meetings and conducted crisis communication workshops with maritime stakeholders. She regularly assists the two regional centers (Regional Maritime Information Fusion Center and the Regional Coordination of Operations Center) in implementing their strategy during field missions and exercises. She was the Deputy Secretary of the Africa Center for Competitive Intelligence (2021- 2023) regrouping experts in competitive intelligence in Africa. She also contributed in the first white paper on the state of play of competitive intelligence in Africa. Passionate about Maritime Security and Blue economy, Pascaline recently launched in collaboration with Kenyan partners, the “Blue Security Africa podcast” aiming to improve understanding of maritime issues to the wider public. Furthermore, she has established her reputation in building a strong network with a broad range of stakeholders, contributing to the development of professional, focused and sustainable communication with governments, military groups, civil society, academia, think-tanks, the media, and the private sector at regional and international levels.
IUU Fishing and Satellite Technology
Eve de Coning (LLB, LLM (shipping law) UCT) is policy director at the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries and deputy head of the Blue Justice Secretariat. She has also worked in various capacities for INTERPOL, ILO, UNODC and the Norwegian police services. She is trained in crime intelligence and analysis and has had a particular focus on the prevention of fisheries crime. At present she is also a research fellow at SIGLA and a member of the International Law Association Committee on Protection of People at Sea on behalf of the Norwegian chapter. In her academic writings she merges practical experience with research in the areas of international law of the sea, mutual legal assistance and legal theory. She has authored several reports for the UN and INTERPOL and that have shaped the discourse on fisheries crime and fisheries crime prevention globally. Through Blue Justice she works closely with government agencies across the world to assist in the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration on Transnational Organized Crime in the Global Fishing Industry.
Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC)
Mr. Kiruja Micheni, a distinguished professional in the field of maritime safety and security, currently works with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as Project Manager for the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment and has been with the project for the last 12 years. In his role, he oversees the implementation of the Revised Code of Conduct Concerning the Repression of Piracy, Armed Robbery Against Ships, and illicit maritime activity in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden Area. Mr. Micheni started his career in the Kenyan Navy and has extensive experience in maritime security. He has also worked as a security expert for international NGOs and the corporate sector. He is an alumnus of the University of Wales (Cardiff University) in the UK and holds a master’s degree in international Transport. In his current capacity, Mr. Micheni is responsible for leading IMO's capacity-building program for the DCoC, which focuses on providing technical assistance to the 21 signatory states of the Djibouti Code of Conduct. This program aims to enhance regional cooperation and build capacity to ensure a safer and more secure maritime environment in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, underscoring IMO’s commitment to promoting the safety and security of navigation. IMO is the specialized United Nations agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. As a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair, effective, universally adopted, and universally implemented.
Synthesis and Summary
Francois Vreÿ is an Emeritus Professor in Military Science with the Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University. He lectured in the Strategic Studies Dept of the Faculty for 21 years and holds a PhD in Futures Studies from the Stellenbosch Business School. His research focus is maritime security off Africa. He is also the research coordinator for SIGLA that does research and publications, as well as conference and commissioned research events on landward, maritime and cybersecurity governance. His latest book chapter on maritime diplomacy in Africa appeared in Key Issues in African diplomacy: Developments and achievements. Bristol University Press (2024).
Opening Comments
Rear Admiral Bubele Kitie Mhlana, born in 1972 in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, is a distinguished leader in the South African Navy. He began his military journey in 1994 as part of the first group of former UMKhonto Wesizwe operatives to join the Navy. Rapidly advancing, R Adm Mhlana became the first African to command a South African Navy warship, SAS KAPA, in 2003. His leadership has spanned key roles, including commanding the SAS ISANDLWANA and SAS MENDI, as well as leading joint international exercises with NATO and other global forces. A graduate of the prestigious U.S. Navy War College, R Adm Mhlana's career is marked by numerous accolades, including the Unitas Medal, Good Service Medals (10, 20, and 30 years), and the Brazilian Almirante Tamandaré Medal of Merit. He also served as the Chief of Staff at the Joint Operations Division from 2020 to 2023. A position he held with distinction. In January 2023, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of the South African Navy, where continues to shape the future of maritime operations in the region. Adm Mhlana is married with five children and is widely respected for his strategic vision and international contributions to naval defence.
Navies and the African Maritime Domain
Dr Vishal Surbun is a senior lecturer in Maritime Law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), where he has taught an undergraduate module on Maritime Law and postgraduate modules on Incidents of Navigation and The Law of the Sea. He is a founding faculty member of UKZN’s Unit for Maritime Law and Maritime Studies, established in 2012 and is presently the Deputy Academic Leader for Research and Higher Degrees at UKZN’s School of Law. He supervises doctoral and masters students in this Unit. Vishal holds an LL.B, an LL.M in Maritime Law and a PhD. He is a Rhodes Oceans Scholar. Vishal’s research interest broadly lies in the public law aspects of maritime law, particularly the international law of the sea and marine law. He has written on legal aspects of maritime safety and security at sea, especially piracy off the coast of Africa. Underscoring his research is an interest in the distribution of jurisdiction and power of states and regional organisations over various ocean spaces. Vishal is an active member of the Maritime Law Association of South Africa, the Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group and the Commonwealth Legal Education Association. He regularly acts as an external examiner and moderator for various maritime postgraduate modules at several Universities in South Africa. He frequently acts as an expert peer reviewer of contributions for numerous South African law journals and technical publications.
Egypt and the bi-coastal navy
Associate Professor of African politics at Cairo University- Faculty of African post-graduate Studies. She holds a PhD in African Studies from the University of Edinburgh- UK. In addition to teaching African Politics at Cairo University, she also taught at the Center of African Studies at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. Her research interests focus on peace and conflict in Africa, peace processes and post-conflict politics in Africa. She contributed articles and book chapters in peer reviewed journals and edited books. Rania is a member of the editorial board of the African Journal on Terrorism issued by the African Union Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism.
Navies and Coast Guards
Brig. V Loonena Naisho joined the Kenya Navy as an Officer Cadet in March 1983, after his ‘A’ level education. On subsequent completion of the basic Military Course in Kenya, he was enrolled to the Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) – UK for Basic Seamanship in the rank of a Midshipman. In November 1984 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. In his over 30 years career span, he has attended specialization courses in India, UK, USA and Kenya encompassing Navigation(Long Navigation and Direction-India), Maritime Warfare (School of Maritime Operations-UK), Intelligence, Defence Diplomacy (Cranefield University-UK), Staff Course at operational and strategic levels, Regional Senior Mission Leadership Course in Peace Operations(DSC, IPSTC-Kenya), Executive Decision Making (National Defence University-Monterey USA) and other diverse Naval/Military Courses. He is a graduate of the National Defence College class of 2007. He is a holder of a Diploma in International Studies from the University of Nairobi. He has held several sea appointments onboard Kenya Navy Ships (KNS) culminating with the appointment as Commanding Officer onboard an Offshore Patrol Vessel KNS SHUJAA. He equally commanded the Kenya Navy Maritime Surveillance Unit from 1995 to 1996. He served as Defence Attaché to Kenya in Pretoria-South Africa from 2003-2006. He has had a fair share of staff and training appointments at Defence Hqs, Service Hqs and colleges. He had a stint in Peace Keeping Operation in Former Republic of Yugoslavia and South Sudan. He commanded a Kenya Navy Base from 2014 to 2015. Took over stewardship of the Defence Medical Scheme in 2018. His penultimate appointment was Director General of the then newly launched Kenya Coast Guard Service where he served from 2018 to 2023. Brig. Loonena Naisho retired in 2023. He is a family man, married with two adult children. His interests involve sharing his maritime journey, reading, travelling and jogging/walking.
SPAS 2024
Reviewing current hydrographic capacities of member states towards better ocean governance.
Appraising existing collaborative regional frameworks for maritime security.
Addressing issues and challenges of integrating maritime domain awareness capabilities for enhanced security.
Raising any existing issues of maritime boundary delimitations for shared resolutions.
Laying the foundational framework for sustainable ocean governance in Africa.
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Chief of the South African Navy
MODMV, Chiefs of Navies - RSA, Algeria, Kenya, Senegal
Rear Admiral (JG) !Gonteb
Deputy Navy Commander of Namibian Navy
Snr Navy Capt L. Xianchen
CHINA
Build a Maritime Community with a Shared Future and Maintain Peace and Security at Sea for Africa
Dr G. vanDyck
GHANA
Adaptive Maritime Security: Developing Resilient Strategies for Safeguarding African Waters in a Dynamic Threat Environment
Prof L. Otto
SOUTH AFRICA
The role of maritime diplomacy to promote good order at sea off Africa
Dr O. Dickson
GHANA
Cyber Defense at Sea: The Strategic Importance of Maritime Cybersecurity for Africa
Mrs E. de Coning
NORWAY
Cyber Defense at Sea: The Strategic Importance of Maritime Cybersecurity for Africa
Capt G.A. Gebru
ETHIOPIA
Maritime Security from the perspective of African developing Landlocked states
Ms T. Vadgama
UNODC
Prof M. Schoeman
CHAIR: SOUTH AFRICA
ROLE OF THE AU: MS P. ALEXANDRE - MAURITIUS
YAOUNDE CODE OF CONDUCT (YCC): CAPT (NAVY) C.S. ATONFACK GUEMO - CAMEROON
DJIBOUTI CODE OF CONDUCT (DCoC): MR D. MICHENI - IMO/DCoC
V Adm E. Ikechukwu
Nigeria Chief of Naval Staff
R Adm B. Mhlana
Dr E. Duarte
BRAZIL
Challenges to good order at sea in the South Atlantic with a focus on the roles of navies
Brig-Gen (Dr) J. Waweru
KENYA
Events in the Red Sea nd naval responses: A perspective from Africa
Navy Capt R.S Sawan
INDIA
The evolving role of the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean: Focus on NW Indian Ocean
Prof V. Surbun
SOUTH AFRICA
CEMZA: Regulatory matters, vulnerabilities and African navies
Prof R. Kafaga
EGYPT
Egypt and bicoastal dilemmas of maritime security
Dr M. Zondi
SOUTH AFRICA
Implications of Over-specifying Project Requirements: Lessons for the SA Navy
Brig (Ret) L. Naisho
KENYA
Reconciling the roles of African navies and coast guards: Practical, ambitious or a wicked problem
Ambassador (Dr) N. Karigithu
14:00 SPEAKER FROM SOUTH AFRICAN NAVY : R ADM H. MATSANE - SOUTH AFRICA
14:20 SPEAKER DESIGNATED FLAG OFFICER - AFRICAN COUNTRY
14:40 SPEAKER FROM NIGERIAN NAVY : CDRE C. ISAH - NIGERIA
Prof F. Vreÿ
SOUTH AFRICA
Responding to events in the Red Sea
Introduction An accomplished Security and International Relations Consultant with 30+ years of military and leadership experience, seeking roles in strategic leadership, security, international relations, and wildlife conservation. I am very interested in the maritime security sphere and the blue economy. The dissertation for my doctoral studies is on: “Maritime Security and the Blue Economy: A Critical Analysis of Kenya’s Integrated Approach”. I am skilled in the following areas: Strategic Leadership, Security Expertise, and Organizational Skills. Professional experience I also served as Director General, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi (2019 – 2023) and transformed KWS into a leading wildlife conservation organization in Eastern Africa by implementing strategic plans for wildlife security and international collaboration. In addition, I served in the following postings: -Senior Directing Staff, National Defence College, Nairobi (2013 – 2019) -Facilitated advanced strategic training in security and mentored future leaders. -Deputy Commander, Kenya Naval Forces, Mombasa (2011 - 2013) -Led strategic naval operations and international collaborations. Educational Qualifications These include the following. PhD in International Studies (Awaiting Graduation, 2024) Master of Management (Security), University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (2014) Post-Graduate Diploma in Management (Security), University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (2008) Diploma in International Studies, University of Nairobi (2005) Diploma in Naval Science, Royal Navy, UK (1988)
Navies in the South Atlantic
Érico Duarte is an associate professor of Strategic Studies and International Relations at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, a senior fellow at the National Defense College, and a non-resident scholar at the Naval War College, Brazil. He was a Ridgway Scholar at the US Army Heritage and Education Center, a visiting fellow at the Joseph Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, Corbett Centre for Maritime Policy Studies at King's College, Institute for Peace Studies and Security Policies (IFSH) at Hamburg University, Rui Barbosa Chair at Leiden University and Joaquim Chissano University in Mozambique. He has collaborated with the Brazilian Air Force University, Army Command and General Staff School, Army Artillery Command, and Navy General Staff. He has a PhD and an MSc in Strategic Studies from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Brasilia. Along with Angolan Brigadier Manuel Correia de Barros, he has edited Maritime Security Challenges in the South Atlantic and Navies and Maritime Policies in the South Atlantic, both by Palgrave Macmillan.
Navies and Security Provision
Captain Ranendra Singh Sawan was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 01 July 1996. He is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and has specialised in Navigation and Direction (ND). He has served on four Indian Navy ships as Navigating Ofcer and has also been the Executive Ofcer of a Missile Vessel. His sea command assignments include an Interceptor Craft of the Indian Coast Guard, and an Antisubmarine Patrol Vessel. He has also served in operational appointments ashore which includes a staff tenure at the Naval Headquarters in New Delhi. He has also been a Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, India. Captain Sawan has contributed papers and articles in various professional journals and was also selected as a Visiting Navy Fellow at the Sea Power Centre, Australia in 2020. He participated in the Comprehensive Security Cooperation Course (CSC 22-3) in 2022 at the DKI-APCSS, Hawaii. He is a Ph.D. (Defence and Strategic Studies) candidate at the Naval War College, Goa, and is working on a thesis titled ‘India’s Minimum Deterrence Posture in the South Asian Context: A Study on Credibility and Quantication’. He also holds an MPhil (Defence and Strategic Studies) degree from the University of Madras. He is currently appointed at the National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi as a Research Fellow. His areas of research interest include maritime security cooperation in the Indo- Pacic, military strategic and operational concepts applicable to the maritime domain, and nuclear deterrence.