The international expert on maritime issues Ernest Tindo believes that the armed protection of merchant vessels announced by Benin is a saving measure. He spoke on BBC Africa's Rendez-Vous Médias program on Tuesday 18 May.

Almost all attacks against ships take place in the Gulf of Guinea zone, which is considered the current black spot in the security of maritime trade in the world. According to Ernest Tindo, there was a drop in pirate attacks in the area, over the first quarter of the year until the end of April 2021. He states that the decrease in these pirate attacks is the result of measures taken by the governments of coastal countries in the Gulf of Guinea, such as Benin, as maritime security is a major challenge for countries in the Gulf of Guinea.