Staff Reporter
THE first and only United States (US) Navy vessel to be assigned to the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) area recently arrived in Walvis Bay for a scheduled port visit and is intended to assist with the enhancement of security at the Atlantic through a maritime security cooperation.
The vessel is known as the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams. According to the Deputy for Civil-Military Engagement for AFRICOM, Ambassador Andrew Young, the vessel aims to assist with the promotion of the rule of law on the high seas and to protect sovereign territorial waters from an array of threats.
One of these threats Young highlighted is Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing, which he said is a transnational threat that has become more urgent in recent years, especially for countries at the West coast of Africa, like Namibia.
“This is just one example where United States Africa Command has sought to leverage naval engagement to positively contribute to regional security and the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams has played a direct role in these efforts,” he said.
Besides this, Young said, it is also intended to assist with combatting other threats, including piracy and violent extremism.
He added that the commissioning of the vessel symbolises the US’ commitment to enhance security within the region and represents a willingness to collaborate with its partners across Africa to address the region’s most complex security issues.
“The sea serves as our global commons, providing both critical trade linkages and marine resources, and it is incumbent on nations to partner to protect it,” Young said.
This was reiterated by the spokesperson of the US Embassy, Tiffany Miller, who said that both the US and Namibia recognise that the future security of the Atlantic is critical for Africa’s prosperity and continued access to global markets.
