Le temps des Réalisations
Bulletin mensuel bilingue d'informations – N° 12 – juin 2013
Cabinet Civil de la Présidence de la République du Cameroun
Récépissé de déclaration N° 00000038 / RDDJ / J06 / BASC du 9 juillet 2012
Directeur de Publication : Martin BELINGA EBOUTOU
# 20 mai 2013
# La Nation unie dans sa diversité
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# 20ᵗʰ May : Unity in Diversity
# Sûreté et sécurité maritimes dans le Golfe de Guinée
Le Cameroun accueille les Chefs d'Etat et de Gouvernement de la CEEAC, de la CEDEAO et de la Commission du Golfe de Guinée
Le temps des Réalisations
# EDITORIAL
# Maritime Security and Economic Emergence
Martin BELINGA EBOUTOU
Minister, Director of Civil Cabinet of the Presidency of the Republic
A filtered class of the human genius will be remarkably present in Yaoundé on 24 and 25 June during the Summit on maritime safety. What a come-together of illustrious personalities! Those who preside over the destinies of men and nations; those who ensure the well-being of peoples and peace between states. This shows the importance of the event, since it is the first Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) on maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea. The leaders of the three sub-regional organizations, the Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, as well as experts and partners from diverse backgrounds, will join the diplomatic high mass whose aim is to achieve the security of our maritime space.
Indeed, the Gulf of Guinea is an "oil sponge" with one of the largest submarine oil deposits in the world. With 24 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, this part of the continent, which lies in Central and West Africa, is, by far, Africa's leading oil reservoir. The estimated natural gas reserves are even more substantial. The Gulf of Guinea has 30% of global diamond reserves, 50% of cobalt reserves, and 70% of coltan reserves (3/4 of global reserves). All these natural riches are highly coveted.
Without seeking to predict the content of the high-level discussions that the Heads of State will hold during the two-day Summit, we assume that focus will be on security and international trade.
Regarding security, the Gulf of Guinea which serves as a maritime transit and diverse traffic hub between Africa, Europe and America, has become the world's second region most affected by piracy and armed robbery at sea, just behind the horn of Africa, on the Indian Ocean.
The rise in maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea definitely poses a threat to the economies of its countries, which depend on port activities for their exports or foreign supplies.