MANAMA, Bahrain – Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 conducted a series of engagements with key leaders and organizations in East Africa, on behalf of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). Royal Canadian Navy Capt. Colin Matthews, commander of CTF 150, met with key leaders from Madagascar, Mauritius, and Tanzania’s regional maritime security architecture to discuss shared goals, June 20 to 28.

Matthews spoke about the importance of information sharing and exchanging knowledge and best practices to address shared regional maritime security issues, including illicit trafficking and unregulated fishing. 

Throughout the engagements the common theme that arose was the importance of collaborating with likeminded nations to improve regional maritime security.

“These visits have been a valuable step in growing the relationship between the Combined Maritime Forces and our partners in Eastern Africa,” Matthews said. “We all have the same common goal: improving our ability to interdict illicit cargo in the region and, ultimately, to contribute to regional maritime security.”

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under CMF, the world’s largest international naval partnership. CTF 150’s mission is to deter and disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons, drugs and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

Combined Maritime Forces is a 44-nation naval partnership upholding the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.