$1 million UAE grant will help us fight the pirates, says Somalia
To finance Somalia's navy and army A million-dollar grant from the Government will go to financing Somalia's navy and army.The UAE is the first to dedicate funds to Somalia armament, according to Faris Mohammed Al Mazroui, assistant to the Foreign Minster for Security and Military Affairs."This initiative started by the UAE is expected to be developed with other countries. Our objective is to go for US$5million and there are a lot of nations who showed interest," he said.The $5m will be used primarily to develop a national guard in Somalia, Mr Al Mazroui explained."We need to set up a national guard base, equip them and train them, as well as provide boats."With the initial million, he added, Somalia will be able to set up a coastguard through the United Nations."We will put the funds under the UN system, which will be worked out from now until September finding the right window and dimension to utilise it," he said.According to the latest figures, 185 seafarers and 13 ships are currently held captive by Somali pirates."These are sailors from around the world. Some of these ships belong to UAE-based companies, although none is UAE flagged," he said.The Somali deputy prime minister and ...
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