West African forces pulled their small boats, using tangled hooks to disarm the imaginary kidnappers onboard. These drills, organized by the US military on the Volta River in Ghana, aimed to refine the skills of West African troops. The exercises concluded with soldiers raising their weapons high as they battled the waves before storming a beachside resort to defuse a hostage crisis under the watchful eyes of senior military leaders and diplomats.
In this context, Admiral Milton Sands, commander of US Special Operations Command Africa, confirmed that the goal is to assist coastal nations in the region in tackling maritime threats such as piracy and illegal fishing. He added, "Illegal fishing not only deprives the region of a food source but also fuels other criminal activities, including drug trafficking and human trafficking." Approximately 350 soldiers participated in the exercises, including troops from Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria.