EU, UNODC, and The Gambia Partner to Strengthen Maritime Legal Frameworks and Counter Transnational Crime

On 30th July 2026, the European Union (EU) Delegation to The Gambia, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Gambian national stakeholders, held a two-day national validation workshop on the Maritime Crime Legal Assessment Report at the OceanBay Hotel in Banjul.

The initiative forms part of the €20 million EU-funded Safe Seas for Africa program, which aims to strengthen maritime legal frameworks, counter drug and arms smuggling, and combat piracy across West and Central Africa.

Building on progress from The Gambia’s 2025 criminal law amendments, the workshop reviews critical gaps in prosecuting offenses at sea and establishes concrete technical assistance needed for national agencies. This initiative will directly safeguard The Gambia's territorial waters, boost sustainable blue economy growth, and protect its shores from transnational criminal networks.

In his opening statement, Deputy Head of Mission of the EU Delegation to The Gambia, Raphaël Brigandi, highlighted the shared security threat:

"The Gambia’s coastline makes it a tempting route for criminal activity, especially for drugs going to and from Europe and for illegal migration towards the Canary Islands. A secure maritime route off the coast of West Africa is our shared goal. Investing in The Gambia's maritime defences is investing in our mutual economic growth and stability.

You can have the fastest boats and the best-trained crews, but the criminal justice chain needs to hold in court, otherwise the efforts at sea to arrest criminals are lost down the line."

The UNODC Head of Programme Office in The Gambia, Mrs. Coumba Diop, emphasized the workshop's significance:

"This workshop marks another vital milestone in UNODC’s continuing engagement to support The Gambia's criminal justice system in tackling maritime insecurity. Our goal is not only to present the legal assessment report, but to strategically map and optimize the assistance required to strengthen The Gambia’s fight against maritime crime."

Reaffirming the national resolve on behalf of the Government of the Republic of The Gambia, Deputy National Security Adviser Saikou Ceesay stated:

"The maritime economy is vital to the sustainable economic development of The Gambia, and ensuring safety for maritime trade to thrive remains paramount. While maritime insecurity continues in many parts of the region, The Gambia is taking active steps through essential operational, institutional, and legal reforms.

We commend UNODC and express our gratitude to the European Union for its support—both through the previous SWAIMS framework and the current Safe Seas for Africa project. This workshop provides a clear path forward to ensure our legal frameworks are fully up to date to criminalize, punish, and deter crimes at sea. Be assured of our full commitment to implementing the outcomes of this assessment and furthering our strong partnership."

The partnership actively delivers concrete operational support to Gambian forces, including joint regional sea patrols, specialized technical training, and the recent delivery of two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats to the Gambian Navy.