MONROVIA, Liberia — Senator Momo Tarnuekollie Cyrus has called for stronger regional cooperation to safeguard Liberia’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone, stressing that maritime security is a shared responsibility that requires collective action among West African countries.
Speaking Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the closing ceremony of Operation ANOUAZE IV 2026 at the Freeport of Monrovia, Senator Tarnuekollie, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defense, Intelligence, Security and Veteran Affairs, said transnational threats at sea cannot be effectively addressed by individual countries acting alone.
He said illicit trafficking, maritime crime and other illegal activities do not respect national borders, making cooperation among neighboring countries critical to protecting the region’s waters and economic interests.
According to the Senator, Operation ANOUAZE IV demonstrates the importance of coordinated patrols, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing, interoperability and operational coordination among Liberia, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and other participating partners.
“Our maritime security is a shared responsibility, and our regional strength lies in our ability to work together,” Tarnuekollie said.
He emphasized that Liberia’s maritime space is more than an extension of its coastline, describing the country’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone as vital components of national sovereignty and the nation’s economic future.
He noted that Liberia’s waters contain valuable resources, support coastal communities, facilitate maritime commerce and contribute to the country’s broader economic development.
“Protecting that space is therefore both a security responsibility and an economic responsibility,” he said.
Tarnuekollie further stressed that regional security partnerships do not undermine national sovereignty, but instead strengthen countries’ capacity to protect and exercise their sovereign rights.
He said cooperation allows participating countries to build trust, share critical information, improve coordination and respond collectively to maritime threats while maintaining responsibility over their respective maritime domains.
The Senate Defense Committee Chairman commended the Ministry of National Defense, the Armed Forces of Liberia and particularly the Liberia Coast Guard for their participation in Operation ANOUAZE IV.
He also praised the commanders and personnel who supported the Liberian phase of the operation and expressed appreciation to maritime and security personnel from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire for their partnership.
Tarnuekollie said their participation demonstrates that West Africa’s security is best strengthened through mutual respect, professional collaboration and shared responsibility.
He also used the occasion to reaffirm the Legislature’s commitment to strengthening Liberia’s security institutions, particularly in the area of maritime security.
He called for sustained investment in maritime security capabilities, institutional capacity, professional training, information-sharing systems and regional partnerships.
“The work does not end with the closing of this ceremony,” Tarnuekollie said, urging participating countries to view Operation ANOUAZE IV as another step toward deeper and more enduring maritime cooperation.
He said stronger maritime security would help protect national resources, promote commerce and contribute to peace and stability across the West African and Atlantic regions.
“A secure maritime space is essential to a secure Liberia, a prosperous West Africa, and a peaceful Atlantic region,” he said.
Tarnuekollie expressed hope that Operation ANOUAZE IV would further deepen cooperation among Liberia, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and other regional partners in confronting emerging maritime security threats.If you want, I can also make it more like a FrontPage Africa-style report with a punchier headline and shorter paragraphs.