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

UNITED NATIONS   –  NEW  YORK  –  The United Nations Security Council is expected to adopt a resolution renewing the authorization for Somalia anti-piracy measures aimed at stopping banditry and armed robberies on the high seas in the eastern Africa region.   In keeping with the voting procedures established during the Covid-19 crisis, the Security Council on Thursday commenced the 24-hour written voting procedure on a draft resolution renewing the counter-piracy measures off the coast of Somalia that expire on 4 December.  South Africa will read out the results of the vote tomorrow (4 December) in its capacity as Council president. The zero draft resolution was circulated by the US, as penholder, on 27 November. On that day experts met briefly via videoconference to discuss the resolution. All subsequent negotiations were conducted via e-mail.   Efforts of numerous States and regional organizations  cooperating with the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia have resulted in a steady decline in attacks. However, the UN Security Council notes that the crime still threatens peace and stability, particularly in Somalia itself. 

The anti-piracy resolution renews for 12 months the authorisation for states and regional organisations cooperating with Somalia to enter Somali territorial waters and use all necessary means for the purpose of repressing acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea. It also renews the authorisation for such actors cooperating with Somalia to take these measures for the same purpose in Somali territory (on land), pursuant to the request of Somalia, while stressing that such measures should be consistent with applicable international humanitarian and human rights law. The draft resolution also emphasises the importance for all parties to cooperate and share intelligence in order to eradicate the threat from piracy. The report also emphasises that COVID-19 had had an impact on all matters surrounding piracy and armed robbery, including the fact that there was less shipping due to decreased demand.