Puntland to accept transfer of convicted Somali pirates |16 May 2011

The assurance was given to the Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam by the head of prisons and police in Puntland, Somalia, Ali Noor when they met here last week.

During the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, several piracy related issues were discussed.
These included a joint commitment in creating more awareness among the international community of the on-going fight against piracy, and the need to develop other means of gainful employment for Somalis.

“Seychelles is committed to lobbying for greater action and support from the international community because we realise that fighting piracy at sea is not enough. We need to do more,” said Mr Adam.

Mr Adam said that Seychelles is committed to supporting the strengthening of Somalia and that the government will support the authorities in establishing other models of development that do not rely on piracy such as agriculture and fishing, among other sectors. 

Mr Noor said that the Puntland authorities have sent out a message to the international community calling for the end of ransom payments to pirates because the practice is enabling and funding further piracy in the region.

This meeting, facilitated by the UNODC, follows on from a high level conference on piracy under the theme: ‘Global Challenge, Regional Responses: Forging a common approach to maritime piracy’ held in Dubai, UAE in April.

At that conference, the Minister for Home Affairs, Joel Morgan, signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) agreements on the transfer of all convicted Somali pirates with both Puntland and Somaliland authorities.

Mr Adam said that despite unconfirmed speculations of divisions within Somaliland which are allegedly questioning the MoU’s signed in Dubai, the Seychelles government remains dedicated to working with anyone and everyone willing to work with Seychelles to bring an end to piracy in the Indian Ocean region.