DJIBOUTI: The Chair of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment (DCoC/JA), Mr. Metse Ralephenya – Republic of South Africa, on behalf of the Signatory States, wishes to update the international maritime community on the collective regional response being advanced following the recent resurgence of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
The continued captivity of innocent seafarers aboard MT HONOUR 25, SWARD, MV EUREKA, MT ASANA, and other vessels remains a matter of profound humanitarian concern. The Signatory States reiterate their call for the immediate and unconditional release of all seafarers currently being held hostage and reaffirm that the safety, dignity and welfare of seafarers must remain at the centre of all international efforts.
The resurgence of piracy has demonstrated that, while considerable progress has been achieved over the past decade, the underlying conditions that enable piracy have not been fully eliminated. The Signatory States therefore recognize that maintaining maritime security requires sustained vigilance, stronger regional ownership, and practical operational cooperation among coastal States.
In response to the deteriorating security situation,
On 29 July, The DCOC Steering Committee conducted an Extraordinary Meeting with the purpose to consider a range of options to strengthen regional operational cooperation. Following careful consideration and fruitful discussion, the Steering Committee recommended the establishment of a Combined DCoC Task Force under the auspices of Working Group 3 on Operational Coordination and Cooperation at Sea.
In considering this proposal, the Steering Committee took note of the significant progress being made in the Gulf of Guinea under the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, where regional States have recently operationalized a Combined Maritime Task Force to strengthen collective maritime security. The proposed DCoC Task Force mirrors this growing commitment to regional ownership by enabling Signatory States to work together through coordinated maritime operations tailored to the unique operational environment of the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden. The Committee further agreed that the initiative should complement, rather than duplicate, the valuable efforts of existing international maritime security partners, including the Combined Maritime Forces, Combined Task Force 151, EU NAVFOR and independently deployed naval forces.
Subsequently, these recommendations were considered by the National Focal Points of the Djibouti Code of Conduct during their meeting of 5 August 2026. Following the meeting, the Chair is pleased to announce that the National Focal Points endorsed the Steering Committee’s recommendations and agreed that Working Group 3 should lead the development of the operational framework required to establish the proposed Combined DCoC Task Force. Working Group 3 has accordingly been tasked with developing a comprehensive package of recommendations for consideration by the Steering Committee including the necessary operational arrangements.
In addition, a defining feature of the proposed framework will be the embarkation of officers (sea-riders) from relevant coastal States aboard participating naval vessels. This will enhance interoperability, facilitate coordinated operations across jurisdictions, improve maritime domain awareness, and provide a practical mechanism for participating States to exercise enforcement authority in accordance with international law.
The proposed Task Force represents a significant step in strengthening regional operational cooperation under the Djibouti Code of Conduct. Drawing on lessons from Operation Copper in Southern Africa and the recently established Combined Maritime Task Force under the Yaoundé Code of Conduct in the Gulf of Guinea, it seeks to provide a practical regional mechanism through which willing Signatory States can conduct coordinated maritime operations in support of existing international maritime security efforts. The Chair emphasizes that the proposed Task Force is intended to complement—not replace—existing international naval operations.
Recognizing that successful counter-piracy operations require both operational and legal cooperation, Working Group 3 has also been tasked with developing recommendations for a regional legal framework to facilitate the lawful transfer, investigation and prosecution of suspected pirates. By strengthening regional transfer arrangements and harmonizing operational procedures, the DCoC aims to improve the legal finish of maritime security operations while fully respecting national legislation and due process.
As a next step, the deliverables of Working Group 3 will be presented to the Steering Committee for consideration and tabled at the 9th DCoCJA High Level Meeting for further deliberations and adoption. This important milestone will pave the way for the establishment of the proposed Combined DCoC Task Force and the development of a regional legal framework.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) continues to fully support regional initiatives undertaken within the DCoC framework, recognizing that operational maritime security measures remain the sovereign responsibility of Member States. The Signatory States welcome this continued support, which provides a clear foundation for advancing practical regional initiatives under the Djibouti Code of Conduct.
The Signatory States remain committed to implementing the Djibouti Code of Conduct and the Jeddah Amendment as the principal framework for regional maritime security cooperation and call upon Signatory States, Friends of the DCoC, international organizations and development partners to support this important initiative. Together, we can build a sustainable regional capability that protects seafarers, safeguards freedom of navigation and reinforces long-term maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
