Bridging regional gaps: The intersection of maritime security and sustainable development in Africa

The maritime security field has gained significance within global security and sustainable development frameworks due to the growing strategic value of ocean spaces. African coastal states face various maritime threats, such as illegal fishing, marine pollution, piracy, and terrorism, which compromise their environmental health, economic prosperity, and socio-political stability. Ongoing territorial disputes and limited naval capabilities pose additional challenges. Recent studies emphasize the gap between land-based security efforts and maritime security threats, underscoring the need for improved maritime governance, institutional cooperation, and adherence to the rule of law. These efforts align closely with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions).

This Research Topic aims to delve into the complex interplay between naval capabilities, institutional collaboration, and legal frameworks that shape maritime security and sustainability, using the Kenya-Somalia maritime territory dispute as a focal point. The research seeks to determine the influence of maritime disagreements on national institutional capacity, international collaboration, and sustainable resource usage and protection. It will investigate hypotheses related to the connection between enhanced institutional cooperation and maritime security, how effective maritime governance mitigates marine crimes and threats, and the role of improved naval capabilities in achieving sustainable maritime development.

To gather further insights on this broader topic, we welcome articles featuring empirical and theoretical perspectives related to maritime security, governance, and sustainability. We particularly encourage a focus on African maritime territorial disputes. Potential themes include, but are not limited to:
• The impact of maritime security on institutional capacity-building and international cooperation.
• The role of enhanced naval capabilities in achieving SDGs related to maritime ecosystems (SDG 14).
• How legal frameworks and international maritime law can bolster national maritime security and sustainable practices.
• Case studies on naval strategies and multi-lateral cooperation to address non-traditional maritime threats, such as illegal fishing, piracy, and sea-based terrorism.
• Regional and international approaches to resolving maritime boundary disputes and strengthening maritime governance.
• The reciprocal influence of land and sea security, focusing on offshore threats affecting onshore stability and development.
• The role of maritime diplomacy and international negotiations over disputed territories.

We invite original research articles, case studies, reviews, theoretical analyses, policy papers, and comparative analyses.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Blue economy, Maritime security, Sustainability, Institutionalism.

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.