30 November – 2 December 2021
The primary objective of SPAS 2021 is to promote the integration of Africa’s maritime security surveillance structures in the context of a sustainable Blue Economy, based on a thorough common understanding of the dynamics of maritime security threats in Africa.
Cameroonian Navy
Rear-Admiral MENDOUA Jean was born on the 23 of December 1956 at Ebolowa, South Region of Cameroon. After an outstanding Primary and Secondary level education, he passed the GCE "A Level" in science at the Government High School Leclerc in Yaounde. He later began his higher education at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Yaoundé. He interrupted his University studies when he was admitted in 1977 into the French Naval Academy in Brest.
In 1985, this initial training was supplemented at the Marines Academy of Lorient, France, where he obtained the diploma of Marines Commando Officer. He later received Special Forces training in Israel, where he qualified as a counter terrorist Commando and as a Sharpshooter Instructor.
In 1991, he studied in the Airborne School of Pau, France, and graduated with the Paratrooper Certificate and the Airborne Troops Proficiency Certificate.
This strong training foundation and further refresher courses enabled him to pursue an enviable career both with the Navy and in the Presidential Guard.
He began his career in the Navy, serving as a navigator on various patrol boats and then as commanding officer.
In 1984, he was assigned to the Protection Regiment of the capital city, Yaounde.He later participated, in collaboration with a selected group of officers, in the setting up of the new Presidential Guard after the dissolution of the Republican Guard.
Within the newly created Guard, he climbed the rungs of the hierarchical ladder. He held the following positions: Commander of the Intervention Company, Head of Intelligence Bureau, Head of Operations Bureau, Commander of the Training Centre, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Guard.
In 2001, he was appointed Commanding officer of the Presidential Guard. He took active part in the creation of BIR DELTA (Rapid Intervention Battalion, maritime component), tasked with combating criminal acts at sea. He served as the acting commander of this unit in 20II, cumulatively with his duties as the Commanding officer of the Presidential Guard, until his promotion to the rank of Rear-Admiral and his appointment as Chief of the Naval Staff on the 11th of March 2011, a position he currently holds.
He participated respectively during the 13th and the 15th editions of the Forum on the African Continent in 202 and 2014 at the National Defence Institute of Higher Studies, Paris, France.
Rear-Admiral MENDOUA Jean holds several national and foreign decorations. He is married and a father of many children.
Nigerian Navy
1. Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo was born on 22 April 1966 in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State. Vice Admiral Gambo attended Gwagwarwa Special Primary School, Kano where he obtained his First Primary School Leaving Certificate. Thereafter, he proceeded to Rumfa College, Kano where he got his West African School Certificate in 1984. He enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of 36 Regular Course on 24 September 1984 and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 24 October 1989.
2. Vice Admiral Gambo has attended several military courses at home and abroad. These include the Sub-Technical Course at Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) QUORRA, Apapa, Lagos from 1991 to 1992, Young Officers Course Intelligence in 1995 and Officers Long Course at NNS QUORRA with specialization in Under Water Warfare in 2000. The senior officer also did his Junior Staff and Senior Staff courses at the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, Nigeria in 1999 and 2003/2004 respectively. Later, the Admiral attended the National Defence College, South Africa as a member of Course 26 of 2012. After successful completion of the course, he earned the right to use the post-nominal title Executive National Security Programme (ensp), Republic of South Africa (RSA) as an alumnus of the institution. He was also at the National Security Seminar by Galilee International Management Institute Israel at Defence Intelligence College Kuru, Abuja in March 2013.
3. In the pursuit of academic excellence, the Chief of the Naval Staff obtained a Certificate in Information Technology from Modern Business Machine at Moloney, Lagos in 1998. Vice Admiral Gambo also attended the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho where he successfully graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma in Transport Management (Logistics Option) in 2008 and followed by a Master of Science Degree in Transport Management (Logistics Option) in 2009. The senior officer equally holds a Certificate of attendance of Sting Operations Workshop on National and Corporate Investigation organized by the International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS), Abuja in 2017.
4. The 21st indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff has held many appointments in the Nigerian Navy. As a Midshipman, he served onboard NNS AMBE from 1988 – 1989 and NNS ENYIMIRI in 1990 as a Watch Keeping Officer. He was also onboard NNS AYAM in 1993 and NNS DAMISA in 2000 for Watch Keeping duties. As a young officer, he was the Officer in Charge of Tug APAYI JOE in 2001, Staff Officer Grade II Intelligence Maritime Component Operation HARMONY in 2002 and Base Intelligence Officer NNS DELTA from 2004 – 2005 and Base Operations Officer NNS DELTA in 2005. Vice Admiral Gambo later became the Staff Officer Grade I Plans, Naval Training Command from 2005 – 2006, Executive Officer NNS AYAM from 2006 – 2007 and Deputy Director Order of Battle (ORBAT), Headquarters Defence Intelligence Agency from 2007 – 2008. He also diligently served as Naval Assistant to a former Chief of the Naval Staff from 2008 – 2010.
5. The Admiral was the pioneer Defence Attache Luanda, Angola from 2011 – 2013 and Commander/Commandant of Directorate of Naval Intelligence Annex and the Nigerian Navy Intelligence School, Apapa, Lagos from 2013 – 2014. In 2014, the senior officer was made the Deputy Director and Acting Director Defence Affairs in the Office of National Security Adviser and completed his tour of duty in 2015. He was equally the Director Simulation at the Naval Doctrine and Assessment Centre, Bonny Camp, Lagos from 2015 – 2017 and the Director Search and Rescue at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja from March - September 2017. Notably, Vice Admiral Gambo was from June - September 2017 the Security Coordinator Presidential Relief Committee on North Eastern Nigeria. He also held the post of the Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Naval Training Command, Lagos from September 2017 – September 2018. Vice Admiral Gambo was appointed Director Procurement, Defence Space Administration in September 2018, the appointment he held until his appointment as the 21st indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff on 26 January 2021.
6. In the course of his distinguished service in the Nigerian Navy, the Chief of the Naval Staff has earned some prestigious awards which include ECOMOG Peacekeeping Medal, passed staff course (psc), Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Staff (DSS) and General Service Star (GSS). Others are ensp (RSA) and Admiralty Medal (AM).
7. Vice Admiral Gambo is a member of some recognised professional bodies. He is a Member Nigerian Institute of Management and Member Institute of Safety Practitioners (MISP). He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Shipping (fcis), Fellow International Institute of Professional Security (FIIPS) and Fellow Chartered Institute of Public Diplomacy Management (FCIPDM).
8. Vice Admiral Gambo is a devoted Muslim who is happily married to Hajiya Nana Aishat Gambo and the marriage is blessed with 3 children comprising 2 girls and a boy. The senior officer enjoys cycling, golfing, watching nature and reading psychology books.
South African Navy
Vice Admiral M.S. Hlongwane was born on 06 July 1962 in Frankfort (Orange Free State), but he grew up in Vaal Triangle in a small township called Bophelong (Vanderbijl Park). He started school in 1970 at Mqiniswa Combined School (Bophelong in Vaal Triangle), he completed his Junior Secondary School in 1980 at Lebohang Junior Secondary School (Boipatong) where he obtained his Junior Certificate. In 1982 he completed his matric at State Senior Secondary School (Sebokeng).
He joined the African National Congress (ANC) and its Military wing UM khonto We Sizwe (MK) in 1982, working as an under ground operative and left South Africa in September 1984 to join the ranks of Umkhonto We Sizwe in exile (Angola).
He received his military training in Angola and the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). He successfully completed the basic MK course that was conducted over a period of 9 months in Caculama Malange Province (Angola). On completion of the basic course, he was deployed at the Armoury in the base, later he was deployed as a Security and Protector in the Regional Headquarters in Luanda,(securing and protecting the leadership whenever they visited MK Cadres in the camps).
In August 1986, he was amongst the Umkhonto We Sizwe cadres, who were selected to attend the Naval Course in Azerbaijan (Baku) at the Caspian Naval Red Banner College named after Kirova. He specialised in Ship Navigation Command for a period of four and half years. In November 1991, he successfully completed the Naval Ship Command Course in Navigation and he obtained a qualification of Diploma in Ship Navigation.
In 1991 he was appointed as Chief of Logistics of the two MK Camps i.e. Mgagawa and Kidete Camps in Tanzania. In 1993 - 1994 he participated in the Joint Co-ordinating Committee (JMCC) as a member of the Navy working group.
After the integration of the Armed Forces in April 1994, he was integrated to the SA Navy in 1994 as Lt Cdr and attended the Bridging and orientation courses at South African Naval College and Maritime Warfare School (Combat Orientation Course). He served onboard Minehunter, SAS UMGENI as officer under training. In 1997 he re-mustered to Maritime Intelligence focusing on the Counter Intelligence Section.
On 1 November 1999, he was appointed SO1 Maritime and subsequently promoted to the rank of Commander.
On 1 November 2003 he was appointed SSO Operations Counter Intelligence and promoted to the rank of Captain. From March 2005 to March 2008 he served at the Democratic Republic of Congo as a Military Attaché.
On 1 March 2008, he was appointed Chief of Fleet Staff at the Fleet Command HQ in Simon’s Town which saw him promoted to the rank of R Adm (JG).
In 2012 he was appointed Deputy Chief of the SA Navy at Navy HQ and subsequently promoted to the rank of R Adm.
On the 1 April 2014, he succeeded V Adm Mudimu which saw him promoted to the rank of V Adm assuming the post of Chief of the SA Navy.
V Adm Hlongwane holds a Diploma in Ship Command Navigation. He has successfully completed all military courses prescribed for Senior Officers since 1994. V Adm Hlongwane has successfully completed Joint Senior Command and Staff Program as well as the Executive National Security Program.
V Adm Hlongwane is a recipient of the following awards:
V Adm Hlongwane is married to Thandi and are blessed with two children.
Kenya Navy
Maj Gen Jimson Longiro Mutai was born on 14 Sept 1968. He joined the Kenya Defence Forces (Kenya Navy) as a cadet in the year 1989 and commisioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 03 Aug 1990.After undertaking the Naval Officers Proficiency and General Training at the Kenya Naval Training College, later undergoing training on International Sub Lieutenant Executive Course in the UK.
To further his training, he underwent a Naval Junior officers Staff Course in Italy. He has trained in other fields including Counter Narcotics, Maritime Law Enforcement, UN Peace Ops Training among many others.
Maj Gen Jimson Mutai is a graduate of National Defence College Kenya and holds Diplomas in International Studies and Strategic Studies. Currently undertaking Masters in International Relations and World Order at University of Leicester (UK).
Maj Gen Jimson Mutai was promoted to the rank of Maj Gen and appointed Commander Kenya Navy on 11 May 2020. Previously he has held various appointments in Training, Command and Staff duties including Commanding Officer onboard various Kenya Navy Ships, Military Assistance to Comd KN, Fleet Squadron Commander, Deputy Commander Kenya Navy Fleet and Comd KNB Mtongwe among others.
Maj Gen Jimson Mutai has been decorated with various Medals among them Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart, Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear and Operation Linda Nchi.
He is happily married and blessed with five lovely daughters.
Egyptian Navy
African Union
H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, born on 21 June 1960, the Chadian Minister of Foreign Affair was elected as the new African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson. H.E. Mahamat speaks French, Arabic and English fluently and had occupied very senior positions with a thirty-year (30) experience. This lawyer was a Minister several times; he served as the director of Civil Cabinet of the President of the Republic, Prime Minister, Head of Government, and President of a Grand Institution of the Republic, namely; the Economic, Social and Cultural Council, where he had to carry out and manage major issues.
H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat chaired the Security Council for the month of December 2015 and general debate on December 19, 2015 on the theme “threats international peace and security; cross-border terrorism and crime”. Furthermore, he also chaired the Peace and Security Council of the AU in September 2013 and steered the Nairobi Extraordinary Summit on the fight against Terrorism. African’s peace and security issues has been at the heart of Mr. Mahamat’s activities and many other missions geared towards the wellbeing of Africa.
The Chairperson of the Commission is the Chief Executive Officer, legal representative of the AU and the AU Chairperson’s Chief Accounting Officer. He is directly responsible to Executive Council for the discharge of his duties.
