Credit: Wikipedia Commons /  A Somali pirate armed with a PKM machine gun

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED NATIONS   –  NEW  YORK  –  The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution Wednesday renewing the authorization for Somalia anti-piracy measures aimed at stopping banditry and armed robberies on the high seas in the eastern Africa region.  The resolution, drafted by the United States, was renewed for one year with no major changes.  Commending the efforts of numerous States and regional organizations that it named as cooperating with the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, which has resulted in a steady decline in attacks, the Council stressed, however, that the crime still threatened peace and stability, particularly in Somalia itself. It called again upon all States and regional organizations that are able to do so to join the fight by deploying naval vessels, arms and military aircraft, by providing basing and logistical support for counter‑piracy forces, and by seizing boats, vessels, arms and other related equipment used in the commission of piracy‑related crimes.

Credit: UN Photo / Evan Schneider / Mohamed Rabi A. Yusuf, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the United Nations, addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in Somalia Dec. 04, 2019.

Mohamed Rabi Yusuf (Deputy Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Somalia) requested UN  Member States and international organizations to support his Government in addressing the root causes of piracy while maintaining the required pressure against the phenomenon at sea.  He also spotlighted the threat posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the country’s exclusive economic zone, welcoming a reference to it in Wednesday’s resolution.

The report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation with respect to piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia describes two major piracy incidents since  1 October 2018.

Credit: https://eunavfor.eu/   European Union Naval Force anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia

On 16, Oct, 2018, two fishing vessels were attacked 280 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia. The attack was repelled following an exchange of gun fire between suspected pirates and armed security personnel on board.  Prior to the attack, the suspected pirates had allegedly seized a Yemeni fishing vessel off the central coast of Somalia, with 26 crew members on board. On 23, April 2019, an EU Naval Force (EU NAVOR) vessel seized the Yemeni fishing vessel and released the crew members, apprehending five suspected pirates for prosecution. 

credit: https://eunavfor.eu/   European Union Naval Force anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. Twenty-three Yemeni hostages were freed after EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation Atalanta intercepted the piracy attack on 23 April, 2019.

“This incident clearly demonstrates that piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia have not been eradicated.  The need for a strong maritime security presence in the High-Risk Area remains critical for the deterrence and prevention of future incidents and attacks.”

-Rear Admiral Antonio Martorell Lacave,  Operation Commander
EU NAVFOR Op Atalanta,  on  the  intercepted piracy attack  23, Apr. 2019. 

The UN Secretary General concluded that the absence of successful piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia demonstrates the effectiveness of current mitigation measures applied by Somalia and the international community, including the Security Council and those acting under its authorization. The draft in blue reviews  for 12 months the authorization for states and regional organizations cooperating with Somalia to enter into Somalia territorial waters and use all necessary means for the purpose of repressing acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea.