Fight against piracy: Council launches EU action to strengthen maritime capacities in the Horn of Africa
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, December 12, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Council today approved the concept for a new Common Security and Defence Policy mission to support regional maritime capacity building in the Horn of Africa and Western Indian Ocean states.
This decision kicks off operational planning for the mission.
The mission is part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to fight piracy and instability in
the region. Its objective is to strengthen the capacity of states in the region to effectively
govern their territorial waters and to reinforce their capacity to fight piracy.
The new mission has two main tasks: strengthening the sea-going maritime capacities in
the countries in the region (with the exception of Somalia) and, in Somalia, the training of
a coastal police force as well as the training and protection of judges. Specific activities to
execute those tasks are to give expert advice on legal, policy and operational matters
concerning maritime security; coast guard training to develop the ability to enforce laws on
the sea; and procurement of the necessary equipment.
Support will be offered to Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, the Seychelles,
Mauritius and Yemen as well as to Somalia, in particular to the regions of Puntland,
Somaliland and Galmudug. Training is to take place both in the Djibouti regional training
centre as well as in the countries concerned.
SOURCE
European Union
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