Yesterday, SEACOP wrapped up a training on vessel rummage for law enforcement services operating in the port of Cotonou, #Benin.
The 5-day training benefited 17 agents from the national navy, Customs, the police (mixed container control unit and the river brigade) who will form the Joint Maritime Control Unit (JMCU) of Benin.
Following a number of theoretical and practical exercises, they are now equipped with the necessary tools and techniques to target and search suspicious vessels at the quayside and in the national territorial waters.
On Monday 22 May, the opening ceremony was presided over by the representative of the Director General of the Republican Police, Controller General François Fonteclonnon, in the presence of the Maritime Prefect, Captain fernand ahoyo, Head of Cooperation at the #EU Delegation to Benin Ioannis Pavlos and the Deputy Regional Coordinator of SEACOP Akizi-Egnim AKALA. International partners were also in attendance, including UNODC representative, Vanessa Fleming and Marine Advisor of the French Embassy in Benin.
The training was delivered by an expert from the French customs assisted by an agent from the Dakar ship control unit.
On Friday 26th, the closing ceremony was celebrated in the presence of the Maritime Prefect, the Programme Manager at the EU Delegation to Benin and SEACOP Deputy Regional Coordinator for Africa. Certificates were handed out to the participants who rejoiced over the fruitful sessions conducted this week.
