The European Union (EU) often struggles for recognition in the international arena as a security actor. Maritime security comprises one of the latest domains where the EU has exhibited ambitions to assume a more prominent role. In this context, the Gulf of Guinea has warranted from the EU a cross-sectoral approach, aimed at fostering regional ownership, highlighted by the recent launch of the Coordinated Maritime Presences concept. Yet, an evaluation of the strategy adopted thus far as well as the operational means deployed to that end remains lacking. This article undertakes this exercise while examining the extent to which the EU assumes a level of security actorness in the region. We argue that the EU has indeed come to play a security actor role in the Gulf of Guinea in recent years, but that its credentials have also waned in light of a changing international context and evolving priorities from its member states.

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Maritime Security,Gulf of Guinea,European Union,EU Maritime Security Strategy

• Ciências Políticas - Ciências Sociais