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PIRACY – ECSA meeting with the ATALANTA/EU-NAVFOR Headquarters Donors Conference – Brussels 22/23 April 2009 |
Meeting with EU-NAVFOR
As advised at the SPC meeting of 24 February an ECSA delegation met with EU-NAVFOR at the headquarters in Northwood on 20/04/09. The EU-NAVFOR/ATALANTA operation was explained in line with the presentation made by Commander David Lintern at the ECSA Board dinner of 3 December 2008. The following points were reiterated:
- Cooperation with other naval forces in the area is being reinforced. A meeting with them is taking place this week.
- As already advised by the UK Chamber at the 4 December Board meeting it would be helpful if European shipowners could delegate captains/officers for a limited term at the EU-NAVFOR headquarters. Some already did. Headquarters will provide ECSA with a kind of schedule on their requirements per ship type.
- There is no distinction between flags in the ATALANTA operation.
- It is essential that shipowners operating in the area register on the EU-NAVFOR/MSCHOA website and also report incidents or suspicious crafts. Ships having no email possibilities can advise per telephone UKMTO: +971.505.523.215.
- EU-NAVFOR is happy with the registration by EU shipowners.
- 60 % of the pirate attacks have failed.
- Whereas the UN Resolution allows action on the land the EU-NAVFOR mandate does not allow this at this stage.
- On the basis of the EU agreement with Kenya captured pirates are taken to court over there. Kenya is of course asking for financial compensation. NATO does not have such an agreement.
- The operational tactics of EU-NAVFOR are constantly under review. Changes will be advised.
- The Communication process via the web site process will be improved in due course.
- An extension of the mandate (linked to the extension of the UN resolution) is under review.
Donor Conference Brussels 22/23 April 2009
A effort towards restoring living conditions, law and order
The Conference, organized by the European Commission (the main donor towards Somalia providing EUR 215.4 million between 2008-2013), was convened by the United Nations Secretary-General under the joint auspices of the African Union, the European Union, the League of Arab States and the United Nations, in line with the request of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1863(2009) of 16 January 2009.
Funding is required for key elements of the strategy set out by the Security Council in that resolution, and by the Secretary-General in his report of 9 March 2009:
- support for the African Union peacekeeping mission Mission in Somalia (AMISOM, € 103 million for the next 12 months plus € 35 million expected to be given in kind – armoured vehicles, personal protective equipment and tent accommodation)
AMISOM currently consists of 4,300 troops (from Uganda and Burundi) but work is underway to try to ensure a full deployment of 8000 troops by January 2010. The UN will provide an initial logistic support package however AMISOM still requires salaries, military equipment, personal protective equipment and tents. Support is also needed to strengthen the AU’s financial accountability mechanisms and for civilian police, who will train the Somali police.
- support for the Somali security forces and for the civilian Somali Police Force established in respect of the Djibouti Agreement of August 2008 (€ 24 million for the next 12 months)
The Somali Government has expressed its commitment to building up its security institutions – a Joint Security Committee (JSC), a civilian Somali Police Force and a National Security Force. The JSC will act as the central coordination mechanism. The National Security Force in Mogadishu is expected to total 6,000 personnel and the Somali Police Force 10,000. Both will require basic assistance, stipends, training and development.
In his speech at the Conference Commission President Barroso stressed that the present problem of piracy will not end unless development will be brought to the country, towns and villages (Annex 1).
At the end of the Conference on 23/04/09 the total funding provided by the international community amounted to € 213 million. This exceeded the initial request. The EU pledged € 72 million to improve security in Somalia. The Communiqué issued after the Conference is attached (Annex 2).
