The annual multinational maritime exercise Cutlass Express has commenced near Djibouti, Bahrain, Kenya and the Seychelles with the participation of Maritime forces and law enforcement professionals from East Africa, West Indian Ocean nations, Europe and the US, as well as several international organisations.

Cutlass Express is a U.S. Naval Forces Africa led, all-domain exercise in East African coastal regions and the West Indian Ocean. The exercise is linked to U.S. Central Command’s International Maritime Exercise to counter malign influence, aggression, and activity along overlapping command seams and maritime regions.

EUCAP Somalia was delighted to continue support Somali participation in Cutlass Express 2022 exercise also through the deployment of a mentoring and cultural advice team.   In this context, EUCAP Somalia’s role is to guide and mentor participants from Police Force-Maritime Police Unit from federal and regional level. The combined team and units participated in all aspects of Cutlass Express which cover tactical aspects of Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), Vessel Boarding, Search and Seizure (VBSS) as well as Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) functions.

EUCAP Somalia’s sister missions EUNAVFOR as well as UNODC and Interpol also contributed to the exercise.

A Somali Police Force female officer stated: “Our efforts here will help make the region a safer place for maritime commerce and help increase prosperity throughout the region.” She went on to add “Our efforts will also contribute to enhance safety for maritime communities and commerce, increasing prosperity for all.”

Captain Jacek Ochman, EUCAP Somalia, said “our Somali partners have worked extremely hard at their participation in Cutlass Express. They have shown commitment and professionalism and it is heartening to see this hard work bear fruit. The participation in these exercises is very important, it builds on the continuing work being done on the ground and allow the units themselves to assess their capability and effectiveness”. Captain Lanfranco Amicarelli, EUCAP Somalia, said “it is heartening to see officer from the SPF and the Puntland Bosaso Port Police integrating and working so well together”.

EUCAP Somalia contributes to the establishment and capacity building of maritime civilian law enforcement capability across the country.