Commander CTF-150 bolsters relationship with Kenyan and Tanzanian maritime security leaders

Commander Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, Commodore Brian Santarpia, Royal Canadian Navy, recently visited the Republic of Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania to discuss common maritime security challenges with military authorities.

During his visit to Kenya, Commodore Santarpia met with Kenyan military authorities both in Nairobi and Mombasa, including with senior personnel from the Ministry of Defence and the Deputy Commander of the Kenyan Navy. Discussions focussed on mutual understanding and cooperation.

In Dar es Salam, Commodore Santarpia met with senior representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Tanzanian Navy. These meetings provided an opportunity to exchange information on common threats and challenges and discuss potential future cooperation.

For Commodore Santarpia, the discussions were collaborative and beneficial. “Today’s maritime security challenges require all maritime nations and partners to work together to deter and deny terrorist organizations the use of the high seas to conduct and finance their activities. I thank the Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities for their willingness to promote a safer maritime environment in East Africa and look forward to supporting their efforts in that regard,” said Commodore Santarpia reflecting on his visit.

While in Nairobi, Commodore Santarpia also met with UNODC’s Head of transnational Organized Crime Programme to discuss areas of mutual interest, such as the prosecution of individuals suspected of maritime crime in support of terrorism.