Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has inaugurated the new headquarters of the Forum of Intelligence and Security Services (FORSEG) in Libreville, marking a major step in strengthening regional cooperation and intelligence sharing among Gulf of Guinea nations.
Speaking at the ceremony on Friday, President Oligui Nguema described the launch as a powerful symbol of collective determination to confront the security challenges threatening the Gulf of Guinea — a maritime zone rich in natural resources but increasingly vulnerable to piracy, trafficking, and other transnational crimes.
“This achievement symbolizes the common will to face the security challenges that threaten the strategic maritime space of the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.
“By hosting the permanent headquarters of the Forum, Gabon reaffirms its unwavering commitment to being a pillar of stability in the region.”
The establishment of FORSEG’s headquarters is aligned with the Yaoundé architecture, a regional framework created to coordinate efforts among West and Central African countries in securing the Gulf’s waters. The new facility is expected to enhance operational cooperation, improve the exchange of strategic information, and foster greater trust among intelligence and security agencies across the region.
FORSEG brings together member states’ intelligence and defense institutions to develop unified strategies against cross-border threats. Its creation follows years of international concern over the growing instability in the Gulf of Guinea, which has been identified as one of the world’s most dangerous maritime zones due to incidents of piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling.
“This headquarters is a promise kept, but above all a starting point,” President Oligui Nguema concluded. “It is time to write a new page in African maritime security, one based on shared responsibility and effective action.”
The inauguration of FORSEG’s permanent base in Libreville underscores Gabon’s commitment to fostering peace and stability in the Gulf of Guinea and reinforces its role as a central actor in the region’s collective security architecture.
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