Call for papers and module developers

KAIPTC – DENMARK GULF OF GUINEA MARITIME SECURITY PROJECT

Introduction

This call for papers and module development outlines the orientation for three inter-linked research activities and a module development aspect which forms part of the project on “Enhancing regional research, capacity building and convening of stakeholders towards a safer maritime domain in the Gulf of Guinea” implemented by the KAIPTC for coastal countries in West and Central Africa along the Gulf of Guinea.

Background

Piracy and other forms of transnational organised criminality rank prominently among the security threats encountered in the Gulf of Guinea. These threats, which include outright robbery of ships at sea, oil bunkering, kidnapping for ransom, as well as drug and arms trafficking, are increasingly fuelling violent disorder in the region and rendering the Gulf of Guinea maritime route unsafe for regional and international shipping. The number of pirate attacks in the Gulf of Guinea increases each year. For instance, though the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in its annual report for 2019, reported a 14% downward trend in the levels of piracy globally, from 223 in 2018 to 193 in 2019, West Africa recorded the highest incidents of any region in the world – 67 incidents out of the global total of 193.

States along the GoG and regional bodies are developing and implementing initiatives to strengthen the capacity and improve the operational architecture of institutions responsible for maritime security. However, challenges such as uncoordinated and incoherent regional and national response mechanisms, limited relationship among national structures of the maritime security sector and inadequate capacity among the maritime security personnel have contributed to the weakness in the implementation of regional and national maritime security initiatives. Against this background, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in collaboration with the Government of Denmark is implementing a project to support the strengthening of regional and national maritime security initiatives. The 3 pillars of the project entail the use of research, training and policy dialogue to enhance the knowledge and skills of maritime actors to contribute effectively towards reducing maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.

Research and module development objective

The objective of the twin call is to enhance understanding of issues affecting the implementation of the Yaoundé process in order to propose recommendations that will facilitate the effective functioning of the evolving structures. The module development aspect will feed into the course design activity of the project and will form the basis of a training course to be held later in the year for targeted maritime personnel in the Gulf of Guinea.

Research Papers

The specific research topics to be pursued are:

1. Exploring the gendered dynamics/dimensions of maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea
2. Addressing the causes of maritime criminality in the Gulf of Guinea; and
3. Reducing ‘sea blindness’ in the maritime domain: the role of non-state actors.

The KAIPTC invites experts and scholars with a proven track record in maritime security issues to consult the above research topics and submit a 200-word abstract of your proposed paper (together with CVs and writing sample) to: afua.lamptey@kaiptc.org; shiela.naade-tetteh@kaiptc.org.

Submission Guidelines and Important Dates

• Word limit for each paper: 4000
• Word limit for abstract: 200
• Referencing style: APA (footnote)
• Deadline for submission of abstracts: Friday, 26th, June 2020.
• First draft submission: 1st September 2020
• Second draft submission: 2nd October 2020
• Publication Date: 10th November 2020

Module Development

Experts on regional and national maritime security from diverse backgrounds including military, civilian and police with expertise in Gulf of Guinea maritime security issues are invited to submit application for the development of training course modules in the following areas:

1. Understanding Insecurities in the Gulf of Guinea
2. Legal and Policy Frameworks on Maritime Security
3. Mapping Maritime Stakeholders in the Gulf of Guinea
4. Maritime Security Threat Response in the Gulf of Guinea
5. Gaps in Maritime Security Architecture in GoG and State Action at sea
6. Maritime Intelligence, Information Sharing and Management
7. Incidence Reporting Mechanisms in the GoG
8. Managing Relationships and Inter-Agency Collaboration in the maritime domain

Application submission process

Experts should submit their CVs, the module topic(s) they are interested in developing and writing sample, to Benjamin.Serebour@kaiptc.org; shiela.naade-tetteh@kaiptc.org. The deadline for submission of application is 15th June, 2020.