Improving port security in Angola
Luanda, December 2023
"Unfortunately, our ports are still not sufficiently equipped to control crime, which is why we're doing this training, with the help of the European Union, so that we can have greater control of possible individuals who have a craze for transiting with narcotics, drugs and also child abduction," said Mr. José Luís Santana, administrator at the National Maritime Agency of Angola.
Waterside Security and Anchorage Area Security Assessment Lobito, Angola
The last six weeks of 2023, the United Nations’ Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Global Maritime Crime Programme organized a training for national authorities working in the three major ports of Angola: Soyo, Luanda and Lobito under the European Union (EU) funded Programme on Port Security and Safety of Navigation. In this Programme, UNODC works together with the International Maritime Organization, INTERPOL and the Indian Ocean Commission towards improving the security of ports in nine countries in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean.
Graduation Ceremony Soyo, Angola
More than 100 participants representing different agencies ranging from the immigration services and navy to private security actors were present. In addition, UNODC has successfully encouraged the participation of local prosecutors to improve coordination between law enforcement and the prosecutors with the aim of ensuring legal finish of crimes committed in ports.
"The ports in Angola also have an impact at regional and global level, due to the importance that Angola has in this region," as per Ms. Isabel Emerson, deputy head of the delegation of the EU in Luanda. The country has the potential to become a logistics hub not only because of its position in the Atlantic Ocean but also due to the mineral rich landlocked countries it is surrounded by.
Waterside Security and Anchorage Area Security Assessment Lobito, Angola
This activity was carried out in line with the 2050 African Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS 2050) as well as UNODC’s Strategic Vision for Africa 2030, under investment area 3 ‘Protecting Africa’s Resources and Livelihoods’, contributing to the Sustainable Management and Protection of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems.
