An armed Somali pirate keeping vigil on the coastline near Hobyo, northeastern Somalia. The international community must fight piracy
Piracy is a breach to the most fundamental principles of the modern civilisation. In the worst-hit areas off the Horn of Africa, no seafarers – be it on a merchant ship or even a yacht – can be safe at sea. Uganda has a strong engagement in Somalia, and Uganda’s efforts in this regard are important elements to also fight piracy.
Today, more than 600 seafarers are being kept as hostages by Somali pirates. They are all innocent victims to the unscrupulous hijackers operating at sea off the Horn of Africa and in the Indian Ocean. Their families are afraid that they will never see their beloved ones again. Piracy is unacceptable by all humanitarian, security and legal standards. On top of this come the economic impacts on the global trade and traffic. Though it is difficult to calculate, experts estimate the total cost of piracy to be about $16 billion in 2010.
From 2007 to 2010, the number of attacks and hijackings by pirates at sea has more than quadrupled. Even though the growing number of pirate attacks is centred in the area off the Horn of Africa and Indian Ocean, it takes a global concerted effort to fight it. No single country could or should carry the burden alone. We all have a responsibility- and it needs to be done with comprehensive, concerted and international action.
Recently, the Danish government presented a comprehensive piracy strategy for Denmark, encompassing political, military, legal and capacity-building measures. In the short as well as the longer term, a viable solution requires stronger national mechanisms for prosecution and incarceration of apprehended pirates.
To complement the legal efforts, Denmark has committed herself to continue our contribution to Nato’s naval operations at sea off the Horn of Africa and in the Indian Ocean. Our contribution includes a support ship including crew and helicopter. In addition, Denmark will deploy a maritime patrol aircraft to support the naval operation periodically.
In the longer term, a viable solution requires the establishment of stronger capacities locally. We need to build up the coastguards in the region as well as police and prison capacities, not least in Somalia, so that Somali pirates can serve their sentence in Somali prisons. These are also elements in the Danish strategy and will be financed by the Danish Stabilisation Fund.
Ms Espersen is the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs.
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