The United Nations Security Council has known as for a complete regional framework to eradicate piracy and armed theft at sea within the Gulf of Guinea, stressing the significance of addressing underlying causes and strengthening justice techniques and judicial cooperation within the area.

“The Security Council remains deeply concerned about the threat that piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, the security and economic development of States in the region, to the safety and welfare of seafarers and other persons, as well as the safety of commercial maritime routes,” the 15-member physique mentioned in a presidential assertion adopted at the moment.

Expressing its deep concern on the reported variety of incidents and degree of violence of acts of piracy and armed theft at sea within the Gulf of Guinea since 2014, the Council strongly condemned the acts of homicide, kidnapping, hostage-taking and theft by pirates working within the Gulf of Guinea and known as upon States within the area to cooperate on the prosecution of suspected pirates and intensify efforts to safe the protected and instant launch of all seafarers held hostage in or across the Gulf of Guinea.

“The Security Council emphasizes that regional peace and stability, the strengthening of State institutions, economic and social development and respect for human rights, and the rule of law, are all necessary to create the conditions for a durable eradication of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea,” the presidential assertion mentioned.

The Council additionally inspired States within the area, regional organizations and worldwide companions to make totally operational all of the regional counter piracy and armed theft at sea mechanisms, and urged bilateral and multilateral companions to proceed aiding States of the Gulf of Guinea with funds, expertise, coaching and tools.

At a gathering on Monday, the Security Council heard from Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, who famous that whereas there was a gradual decline within the variety of recorded incidents of piracy, armed theft at sea and different illicit and unlawful actions within the Gulf of Guinea over the previous few years, insecurity at sea stays a supply of concern.

In the primary quarter of 2016, the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre recorded six assaults and 6 tried assaults within the Gulf of Guinea, together with 9 in Nigeria, one in Côte d’Ivoire, and two inside the territorial waters of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zerihoun mentioned.

“Ultimately, countering the current threats requires a combination of capacities in including qualitative improvements in the collection of intelligence; the sharing and improved analyses of intelligence; enhancement of the capacities – both infrastructure and training – of local enforcement agencies of the Gulf of Guinea countries; and the establishment of an effective customs and border control system throughout the sub-region,” he mentioned.

In addition, he mentioned you will need to keep away from duplication of worldwide capacity-building efforts with respect to maritime security and safety within the Gulf of Guinea.

Zerihoun famous that the African Union (AU) is scheduled to carry an Extraordinary Summit on Maritime Security and Development for Africa on 15 and 16 October 2016 in Lomé, Togo.

“We believe the Summit will provide a unique opportunity for the countries of the region to renew their commitment to jointly enhance the maritime security architecture in the Gulf of Guinea,” he mentioned.