U.S. Navy Deepens Maritime Ties with Sierra Leone 

Freetown, Sierra Leone – The United States has strengthened its commitment to maritime security and regional cooperation by supporting Obangame Express 2025, a major multinational naval exercise spanning West and Central Africa.

Now in its 14th year, the exercise brought together naval forces from 32 nations across Africa, Europe, and North America, with a shared goal of improving maritime law enforcement and bolstering security in the strategically vital Gulf of Guinea.

In Sierra Leone, the U.S. Navy deployed Lieutenant Klee and Logistics Specialist First Class Courtney to partner directly with the Sierra Leone Navy. The two nations worked hand in hand on a series of training missions and operational exercises, including maritime interdiction drills and intelligence-sharing operations.

The 2025 edition of Obangame Express focused on key maritime threats such as illegal fishing, drug and human trafficking, piracy, and the need for improved search and rescue coordination. A central feature of the exercise was the reinforcement of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct (YCoC)—a 2013 agreement aimed at fostering regional maritime coordination and reducing criminal activities at sea.

Participating forces also made use of SeaVision, a U.S.-developed maritime awareness tool that allowed for real-time information sharing across the YCoC’s five maritime zones. This tool proved critical in tracking vessels not broadcasting on the Automatic Identification System (AIS), enhancing regional capabilities to identify and respond to suspicious activities.

The U.S.-Sierra Leone collaboration throughout the exercise reflects Washington’s continued dedication to cultivating strong partnerships and building regional capacity to safeguard maritime corridors vital to economic stability and security.