Deputy Commander Kenya Navy, Brigadier Sankale Kiswaa, recently participated in the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) annual Maritime Security Conference (MSC) in Manama, Bahrain, from 12 to 14 May 2025.
MSC is CMF’s flagship forum that brings together leaders of the coalition’s Member Nations and partner Organisations.
The 2025 MSC provided an opportunity for the leaders to assess CMF’s progress in fulfilling its mission of upholding International Rules Based Order (IRBO) at Sea.
Recognizing the evolving nature and pattern of threats to IRBO at sea, the leaders deliberated and established a proactive strategy for CMF which aims to deter malign activities at sea, foster lasting engagement with member nations and similar maritime organizations, and strengthen capacity and interoperability among Member Countries and Industry.
As a coalition of 46 Member Nations and Partner Organisations, the leaders reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to upholding the treasured principles and values that shape the unique identity and character of CMF.
Brigadier Kiswaa also held bilateral engagements with the Commander CMF, Vice Admiral George Wikoff and other selected leaders from which mutual areas of cooperation were extensively discussed.
Their discussions centered around the necessity to hasten joint efforts to protect the critical Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) and, as a result, guarantee freedom of navigation for all seafarers. Maritime terrorism, piracy, drug trafficking and Illegal and unregulated fishing (IUU) were also recognized as some of the key factors that contribute to crime at sea, therefore underscoring the need for deepened collaboration between maritime security stakeholders and industry.
Brigadier Kiswaa was accompanied by Kenya’s Defence Attaché to Qatar Colonel Said Farah, Kenya’s Senior National Representative to CMF Major Isaiah Mutai and Kenya Navy Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class One, Adan Abdi Musa.
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