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Chair of CGPCS warns maritime trade piracy threat still real |25 May 2017

 

 

 

 

 

“What must we do to make sure piracy outside the coast of Somalia is stopped or is definitively eliminated? What must we continue doing? And what we the Contact Group of Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) must continue doing? How can we influence things so they impact on the ground in Somalia?”

These were the questions asked by Barry Faure, chairman of the CGPCS, during a press conference last week at Reflecs3 building on Bois de Rose Avenue on the still present threat of piracy in the western Indian Ocean.

The occasion was also for the group to brief the media on what they have been doing and the reason for maintaining the CGPCS.

“As Seychelles is holding the group’s chairmanship for this year, in the remaining months until there is change in the monsoon, which is until end of June, we will make sure there is no attack with success conducted by pirates. Even if an attack is successful, we must prevent them from taking ships as hostage for ransom. The message we are sending is very important. We are making sure that fishing vessels and cargo ships take the necessary measures and keep their guards up,” said Mr Faure.

The measures include avoiding sailing too close to Somaliland; have the necessary security on board; local fishermen should fish in designated areas and inform the Seychelles Ports Authority when they are going out.

He said they should bear in mind pirates will always be there as long as there is no stability on the grounds in Somalia. And they are waiting for the appropriate time to attack.

He also gave an overview of the CGPCS which he said is an international contact group of 80 members between governments, non-governmental organisations, shipping companies or maritime associations, created in 2010 by the United Nations (UN) but is not a UN organisation. It is an international group composed of different states and international partners like the shipping industry and transnational organisations active in the fight against piracy in this part of the world. Seychelles became in charge of the group in January 2016, taking over from the European Union who was in charge for a two-year period from 2014-2015.

Apart from the Oceans Beyond Piracy ‘State of Maritime Piracy 2016’, in London early this month, another major event on the group’s calendar is the CGPCS 20th Plenary of the group in Mauritius from July 5 to 7. Co-hosted by the Indian Ocean Commission (COI), the session will be held under the theme ‘Leaving a lasting legacy’.

“It will be a moment to once again come together to discuss progress to date of the CGPCS, providing an opportunity as well for us to understand recent events where vessels once again were at risk of hijack and crew being held hostage,” said Mr Faure.

“Seychelles is the first regional state outside of the East African coast who got the responsibility to be in charge of this contact group. And this is because this remarkable leadership role on the international level Seychelles has played in the fight against piracy. It is in recognition of this role and formidable work undertaken, in collaboration with our international and regional partners, that we were given this responsibility,” said Mr Faure, adding it was because of Seychelles’ good management of the group that it was given another mandate this year, something he said has happened only twice since the group’s existence.

 

To be in charge of the group is based on consensus. One proposes, another seconds and if there are no objections, the one being proposed gets the chairmanship.

“We have demonstrated the necessary capacity to mobilise the international community, bring people together, work together in a systematic way, communicate well which ended up in the publication of a newsletter every three months on activities and events of the group. Which is a good example of consensus build up,” he said.

As the last attack by pirates off the coast of Somalia occurred in 2012 and was not successful, Mr Faure said many started to question the relevance of such a group now.

“Due to Seychelles’ leadership of the group, it managed to bring a consensus for a plenary session where all the subjects would be addressed,” said Mr Faure.

As Seychelles made sure that all members were kept abreast of happenings in the group, this was commended during the meeting on ‘Oceans Beyond Piracy ‘State of Maritime Piracy 2016’, in London earlier this month.

During the meeting Mr Faure acknowledged that victory in the fight against piracy could not be declared as of right now as long as instability prevails in the region.

“We look to the UK to continue to lobby for us to ensure that the international community remains engaged in the fight against piracy,” said Mr Faure.

The UK facilitated Seychelles participation in that London conference which launched its 2016 report on piracy in the western Indian Ocean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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