The ceremony took place on board the frigate “Liberal”, which is taking part in Operation “GUINEX-III”.
By Agência Marinha de Notícias – Brasília, DF
On Monday (25), the Brazilian Navy (MB) held a ceremony to hand over uniforms and communications equipment to the Cape Verde Coast Guard, on board the frigate “Liberal”, in the port of Mindelo, during Operation “GUINEX III”. MB delivered more than 5,000 items of uniforms to the Cape Verdean Coast Guard. This donation has a special value due to the identification that this Naval Force has with MB, as they wear the same uniform. In addition, communications equipment and accessories were made available, which will be installed in the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Cape Verde, as well as in the “Guardião” patrol ship, the most important naval vessel for the country, and in the Maritime Security Operations Center, which will enable voice and data communications over long distances during maritime operations in the country’s jurisdictional waters.
The ceremony was attended by the Brazilian Ambassador to Cape Verde, Colbert Soares Pinto Junior. During the occasion, the Commander of “GUINEX-III”, Rear Admiral Nelson de Oliveira Leite, said that this operation has the “purpose of contributing to Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea, which is part of Brazil’s strategic surroundings, as well as strengthening the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, promoting collaboration between the countries bordering our South Atlantic”.
The Order of Naval Merit, in the rank of Grand Officer of the Supplementary Board, was also awarded to Rear Admiral António Duarte Monteiro, Chief of Staff of the Cape Verde Armed Forces. Created in July 1934, this commendation is intended to distinguish military personnel from the Navy who have distinguished themselves in the exercise of their profession, as well as civilian and military personalities, Brazilian or foreign, who have rendered relevant services to the Brazilian Navy. It should be noted that Admiral António Duarte Monteiro has had roots in the MB since 1992, when he had the opportunity to take part in the Marine Guards Training Voyage on the School Ship “Brasil”. On that occasion, he had the “initial inspiration to abolish the then green uniform used by the Cape Verde Coast Guard and envision the use of the white uniform”, as he said in his speech during the ceremony.
The Brazilian Navy’s relationship with the Cape Verde Coast Guard
In March 2012, the Brazilian Navy signed a protocol with the Cape Verde Coast Guard for the supply of uniforms, which included gala uniforms and operational outfits. Since then, there has been a striking similarity between the Cape Verdean institution’s uniforms and those worn by the Brazilian military.
However, the relationship between the two forces has deeper roots. Through the Defense Cooperation Agreement between Brazil and Cape Verde, the professional military training of the Coast Guard in the African country is of great importance. The Brazilian Navy’s training schools for officers and non-commissioned officers have continuously trained Cape Verdean military personnel for the technical and professional development of that force
In addition to training in Brazil, there is an MB contingent on Cape Verdean soil, the Naval Advisory Mission (MAN), based at the Cape Verde Coast Guard Command on the island of São Vicente, in order to increase the training of local naval assets and their military personnel, This will have a direct impact on Cape Verde’s capacity to counter maritime illicit activities in its jurisdictional waters, such as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, drug trafficking and piracy, thus contributing to guaranteeing the country’s maritime security. The Brazilian Ambassador to Cape Verde emphasized that “MAN is the most important advisory body for the development of the local Coast Guard”.
Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias