Seychelles hosts AU ministers’ meeting on maritime security |09 February 2015

Compared to 2011 and 2012 when a modern form of piracy orchestrated primarily from Somalia had reached its peak in the Indian Ocean, the threat has now reduced considerably.

However, as it has been frequently reminded, it is not a reason for countries concerned, including Seychelles, to lower their guard against the phenomenon which still poses a threat to the region’s security and economy.

This is why the African Union (AU) ministers responsible for maritime safety and security are since yesterday meeting at the Savoy Resort and Spa at Beau Vallon to evaluate the current maritime safety and security situation not only in the Indian Ocean but also in the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
During the two days, the delegates will also decide on the next steps to be taken in order to enhance maritime safety and security in Africa.

Though the conference has been initiated by the AU, European Union (EU) countries and others like China, India and the USA as well as various international organisations are taking part as part of the international coalition against piracy. Together, they aim at reviewing shared objectives to tackle not only the root causes of piracy, but also other illicit activities such as drug and human trafficking, illegal migration, maritime pollution, armed robbery and terrorism.

Launching the conference, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan thanked the AU for granting Seychelles the honour and privilege of hosting the important meeting on lessons learnt in the fight against piracy.

Minister Morgan was speaking in the presence of former President James Mancham, Vice-President Danny Faure, acting Chief Justice Durai Karunakaran, government ministers, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly David Pierre and other invitees.

Other high level delegates present at the conference also include the AU commissioner for peace and security Ambassador Smail Chergui and the EU deputy secretary general for external action service Marciej Popowski.

Mr Morgan reminded the invitees and delegates that piracy has threatened the region’s security and economy, including the blue economy of which one main activity is fishing.

He added that if adequate measures had not been taken, today’s situation whereby piracy activity has been reduced to zero level would be different.
He gave the example of cruise ships now coming back to Port Victoria as they feel it is now safe to do so, compared to a drop in this activity some years back.

Mr Morgan pointed out that the Indian Ocean is becoming one of the most important trade routes, making it more vulnerable to illicit trades and criminal gangs whose approach and tactics continue to pose a challenge.

He stressed that at the same time, the criminal acts are not different in the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Guinea and the Mediterranean.
As a result, he warned, it is important for countries concerned to take ownership of their maritime safety and security.

The Minister for Foreign affairs and Transport took the opportunity to thank global partners for concerted actions against piracy at international level and for working alongside the Seychelles’ based regional anti-piracy cell ‘REFLECS 3’.

On this note, he called on the EU not to pull out its Navfor maritime fleet from the region, as it has planned to do by 2016.

Minister Morgan also reminded that in order to address the issue of stability at sea, we have also to address security on land.
This is why he said Seychelles has been assisting Somalia in coming back to normal political life.

Commenting that Seychelles was the best place for such a meeting due to its geographical location and as a peaceful country which has suffered from piracy, Ambassador Chergui thanked the country’s leaders for accepting to host it.

He said that the AU is concerned by the dangers of piracy and wishes to have a global strategy in order to fight the problem and maximise Africa’s yields from its maritime resources.

He promised that the AU will continue to work with its partners because as he said, “there will be no success without international partnership”.

For this, he got the blessing of Mr Popowski who pledged the EU’s continued commitment to maritime security in the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean.
The EU deputy secretary general also promised to continue helping Africa where the continent lacks the necessary resources and capacity.

He expressed hope that during the meeting a clear picture will be developed for the international partnership to remain successful in overcoming the challenge of keeping the piracy level at zero and to find a permanent solution to the problem.

The conference, which ends today, will also serve as a preparation for another on the piracy issue to be held in the Togolese capital Lomé, on November 7 this year.