UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon said here Wednesday that combating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea off the west coast of Africa requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach by the international community.
“As we have learned from our experience in Somalia , we must approach the issue in a holistic manner, focusing simultaneously on security, the rule of law and development,” said Ban.
“Responses that fall short of these requirements will only exacerbate the problem. Let us therefore work together to forge a balanced and coherent strategy that addresses the roots of the problem as well as deterrence on land and at sea.”
His statement came as he addressed the UN Security Council during an open meeting on Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea .
The body of water, stretching from Ghana to Gabon, has long been plagued by illegal trafficking, but was only recently cited as a hot spot for piracy, like Somalia, by the International Maritime Organization ( IMO ) in 2009.
“New cases of piracy and armed robbery aboard vessels along the West African coast are being regularly reported, with significant potential consequences for economic development and security,” said Ban.
“The threat is compounded because most Gulf of Guinea states have limited capacity to ensure safe maritime trade, freedom of navigation, the protection of marine resources and the safety and security of lives and property.”
Ban commended the states along the gulf and their partners for the steps they have taken to thwart pirates, saying he is encouraged by coast patrols carried out by Benin and Nigeria as well as efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States ( ECCAS).
“I urge the two regional organizations to work together to develop a comprehensive, integrated strategy, in close cooperation with the Gulf of Guinea Commission (CGG) and the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA),” he said.
He also recognized ECOWAS plan to hold a summit for the states of the Gulf of Guinea and ECCAS plan to hold an international conference.
In August, the Security Council held discussions on Gulf of Guinea piracy. Ban plans to deploy an assessment mission to the region in November.
“The forthcoming UN assessment mission will examine the scope of the threat, as well as the capacity of Benin and of the West African sub-region as a whole to ensure maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea ,” he said.
“It will also make recommendations on anti-piracy, including in the broader context of organized crime and drug trafficking.”
The assessment mission, originally requested by President Boni Yayi of Benin , will consist of representatives from a variety of UN offices and operate in close consultation with national authorities and international partners, Ban added.