NAIROBI (KAAB TV) – The United States and the European Union (EU) have increased their efforts to combat maritime gangs, with Kenya becoming the second country, after Seychelles, to accept and prosecute those suspected of maritime crimes.
Countries with the largest economies have expressed alarm over Yemen’s Houthis disrupting maritime trade in the Red Sea and the return of pirates in Somalia, stating that the unlawful groups must be eliminated.
The European Union Naval Force (EU Navfor) has stated that Kenya will assist Seychelles in apprehending suspected maritime criminals in response to the surge in maritime incidents recorded there.
The European Union Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, stated that marine security is a problem as it has brought trade to a halt. The European Union will collaborate with diverse states to address the water security issue.
The United Nations has being urged to concentrate on crimes along the East African coast.
Ms Geiger, who spoke in Mombasa at the end of maritime drills between Kenya and European Union forces, stated that the European Union Navfor personnel will boost their presence in regions where piracy, drug and human trafficking, and other crimes are recorded.
Eu Navfor Somalia has already succeeded in curbing pirates, but in the current Atalanta operation, the military will collaborate with many governments to deal with newly established pirates and an unlawful gang in the Suez Canal,” said the Ambassador.
Ms Geiger, who was accompanied by Spanish ambassador Christina Diaz and Italian colleague Roberto Natali, stated that while the threat of Somali piracy off Somalia’s coast is now described as mild, strikes by Houthi rebels in Yemen remain a source of concern. the major one, which caused the ships to turn back. There is a long road to the Cape.
“The Seychelles has played a significant role in dealing with suspects apprehended in the ocean, and Kenya will now be another country with which the European Union has entered into a legal agreement to allow the prosecution of suspected pirates. warships,” said the ambassador.
On May 14, six claimed pirates were handed up to Seychelles authorities for prosecution in the EU Navfor Operation Atalanta, accusing them of originating from Somalia and engaging in the island’s piracy attacks. Marshal, Merchant Vessel Chrystal Arctic on May 10th.
Operation Atalanta has legal arrangements with Seychelles that allow it to prosecute suspected pirates.
There has been increased alarm over the resumption of Somali piracy, with EU Navfor stating that two or more piracy gangs are active in the Socotra Islands area and 500 metres east of Socotra, northwest of the Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden.
The ship’s commanding commander, Rear Admiral Francesco Saladino, stated that Atalanta is still dedicated to supporting the country’s prosecutors until they arrive. in the court.
“Atalanta has legal obligations with the countries it operates in their territory that guarantee all processes of piracy incidents to prevent, arrest, arrest, and prosecute in accordance with international law,” stated Mr. Saladino.
Piracy, while mostly controlled, has not been abolished. Piracy-related criminal networks have expanded to include other marine crimes such as illegal arms trafficking and human trafficking.
Kenya acquires a’simulator’ to combat marine crime.
At the same time, Ambassador Robert Scott, the US Africa Command’s deputy commander of civil and military operations, paid visits to Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Seychelles last week to meet with friendly government officials and discuss regional efforts to help countries address maritime security challenges.
During this tour, the emphasis was on the impact of the countries and strategies to avert the marine security concerns facing the islands and the oceans where human traffic is expanding.
“Unreported and unregulated marine security concerns include piracy, illegal fishing, trafficking, and others (IUU) have a significant impact on the economics of African coastal countries; supporting their work is critical, especially given the rise in maritime traffic caused by the Gulf of Aden conflict,” said Mr Scott.
Mr Scott’s visits to the Regional Fusion Operations Centre in Seychelles and the Regional Ocean Information Fusion Centre in Madagascar demonstrated how countries in the Western Indian Ocean are addressing these difficulties.
The ambassador’s visit exemplifies the United States Africa Command’s