Category Archives: MARSEC Updates

The EU will provide some €37 million to strengthen the fight against piracy in several Eastern and Southern African countries through support for the Programme to promote Regional Maritime Security (MASE). In the past decade, the level of maritime insecurity in the region’s waters has become the highest in the world, undermining development and affecting the wellbeing of millions of people. The EU has been present in the region already since 2008 to address the deteriorating situation and to harden ships against attack. Thanks to these efforts piracy has decreased from 299 attacks in 2011 to 111 in 2012 (a reduction of over 62%), while the number of hijackings dropped from 25 to 12. So far, attacks remain at this … Continue reading

The conference took place to provide international support for the Government of Somalia as they rebuild their country after two decades of conflict. At the Somalia Conference in London on 7 May, the international community came together to agree practical measures to support the Federal Government’s plans in three key areas – security, justice and public financial management. In addition, the Federal Government presented its vision for the implementation of federalism, the adoption of a permanent constitution, and holding of elections. The conference also agreed to work together to tackle sexual violence in Somalia. During the conference, Somali Government ministers shared detailed plans for developing the country’s armed forces, police, justice sector and public financial management systems. The international community … Continue reading

DAR ES SALAAM, March 8 (BERNAMA-NNN-DAILYNEWS) — President Jakaya Kikwete has said that the government of Tanzania will, invariably, carry out fair trial for suspected Somali pirates arrested in the Indian Ocean. He noted that the country has a dynamic, independent judiciary. Responding to a question from journalists at a joint Press Conference with visiting Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, President Kikwete said, however, that despite having an independent judiciary, there was a need for the country to improve prison conditions in conformity with International standards. Before holding the press conference; President Kikwete and the Danish Prime Minister witnessed the signing of two agreements. The agreements include Conditions and Transfer of Suspected Pirates and armed robbers; Seized Tanzanian property and … Continue reading

HARGEISA, Somalia Mar 7 2013 (Garowe Online) – The north western breakaway region of Somaliland, expressed discontent over the UN Security Council decision to partially lift the 21 year old arms embargo ban on Somalia, Garowe Online reports. The Somaliland government’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mohamed Abdullahi Omar, spoke to BBC Somali Service on Thursday and stated that the Security Council did not evaluate the consequences of the partial lift. “We [Somaliland] recognize the decision by the Security Council as a decision that was not properly examined nor assessed. And we believe it is ill-timed an decision that could bring insecurity to East Africa”, said Minister Omar. In the Britain proposed resolution passed on Wednesday, the Security Council member state reasoned … Continue reading

A French oil tanker that went missing near the Ivory Coast over the weekend has been hijacked by pirates for its cargo.French oil tanker that went missing near the Ivory Coast over the weekend has been hijacked by pirates for its cargo. Alexis Guie, a spokesman for the Autonomous Port of Abidjan, where the ship was last seen, said: “The boat was hijacked in international waters”. France said it had yet to receive any demands from the pirates. Mr Guie added: “When a boat is hijacked more than 300 kilometres (185 miles) from the Ivorian coast, that can’t be in our waters”. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) issued a security alert for West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea following a spate … Continue reading

London, Paris, 16 January 2013 – Piracy on the world’s seas has reached a five-year low, with 297 ships attacked in 2012, compared with 439 in 2011, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB) global piracy report revealed today. Worldwide figures were brought down by a huge reduction in Somali piracy, though East and West Africa remain the worst hit areas, with 150 attacks in 2012. Globally, 174 ships were boarded by pirates last year, while 28 were hijacked and 28 were fired upon. IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre also recorded 67 attempted attacks. The number of people taken hostage onboard fell to 585 from 802 in 2011, while a further 26 were kidnapped for ransom in Nigeria. … Continue reading