Heading South
Piracy is moving south. The tendency is not getting smaller, but larger, Captain Jaco Theunissen told Sapa at a marine training exercise of the SADC Standing Maritime Committee (SMC) in Maputo, Mozambique.
While piracy was currently not a problem in the southern African region, unlike illegal fishing, illegal immigration and drug trafficking, it remained a big concern.
We need to focus on prevention. All southern African countries are problematic. That is why we have co-operation agreements. We can use each others resources and support one another.
Up to now there have been no piracy in the waters of SADC members, he said.
Because the SADC is on such a good foot [regarding security], the region is stable, a stable area in Africa. It is like a good police force.
The East African coast is notorious for acts of piracy, where groups of armed robbers board cargo ships and hold their crews hostage until a ransom is paid. The phenomenon occurs especially around Somalia, which is effectively a failed state with its weak central government, said Theunissen.
The SMC holds its 16th meeting on Wednesday and Thursday in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, which currently chairs the committee. Navies from nine SADC countries will conduct joint exercises during the meetings. South African navy ships the SAS Spioenkop, SAS Drakensberg, and SAS Galeshewe are at anchor in Maputo harbour for the meeting, where the public can visit the ships on Thursday and Friday.
SAS Drakensberg Captain Charl Coetzee told a press conference on Tuesday that around 400 marine officers from SADC member countries would participate in the exercise.
Mozambican navy head Rear Admiral Patricio Cancuta Yopamu told the briefing that the joint exercise aimed to improve the regions defence capabilities, develop a common understanding between SADC member states and implement previous SMC resolutions.
No country on its own can fight piracy and trafficking, he said.
Source: shiptalk