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Equatorial Guinea has called on the United States to help fight piracy attacks.
Foreign Minister Simeon Oyono Esono Angue met with Acting United States Under Secretary of Defense Anthony Jean Tata.
Mr. Oyono Esono Angue highlighted that maritime piracy is a key national security issue and presented the joint efforts being carried out by the West African countries.
The Guinean minister insisted on the need for training, knowledge sharing and equipment to effectively stop the attacks.
More than 80% of the Gross Domestic Product of Equatorial Guinea depends on the oil and gas resources that originate in the Gulf of Guinea.
The country’s oil and gas infrastructure suffered at least four hijacks in 2020, which could cause enormous damage to the national economy.
According to the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB), there has been a 40% increase in the number of reported kidnappings in the Gulf of Guinea in 2020 compared to 2019.
IMB data on hacking activity in 2020 reports that 95% of global kidnappings took place in the area.
