Piracy off Somali coast is not only criminal, but very successful. The Security Council cautioned there could be no peace at sea without stability on land. Piracy off the coast of Somalia was not only a criminal activity, but it was, first of all, a very successful business, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Political Office there told the Security Council. The representative of Somalia said that the problem of piracy was a symptom of the major problems that had been bedeviling Somalia for nearly two decades, and stressed that the problem, thus, required a concerted and coordinated effort at the international, regional, national and local levels.

Echoing the warning of some speakers, the representative of Mexico emphasized the negative impact of piracy on the sanctions regime in Somalia. It was important in that regard that States and multinational maritime coalitions cooperate with the Monitoring Group on sanctions. Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Sweden's representative announced that the mandate for its naval Operation Atlanta, which provided crucial protection for WFP deliveries and United Nations' delivery by sea of logistical support for AMISOM, would be extended until the end of 2010.

The representative of the United Kingdom, stressing the importance of addressing the root causes of piracy, said that greater support should be given to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia in its fight against insurgency and also urged for security assistance to Puntland and Somaliland. More of the same determination shown by the international community at sea must be shown on shore.

The representative of the United States said that, in order to combat the profitability of piracy, all States should adopt a firm policy against paying ransom. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), 306 incidents of piracy and armed robbery were reported worldwide, of which 136 were in the East African area, the report states. During the period of January through September 2009, 300 incidents were reported worldwide, of which 160 occurred in the East African area. Thirty-four ships were hijacked off the coast of Somalia and more than 450 seafarers were taken hostage. Between July and September, two successful hijackings were carried out. The number of attempts dropped from 95 in the second quarter to 26 in the third quarter. Since then, a resurgence in the number of attacks resulted in eight ships and 178 seafarers being held hostage.

The Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, which held its inaugural meeting on 14 January, was established as a contact point between and among States and regional and international organizations on all aspects of combating piracy,

There is also the IMO Djibouti Code of Conduct, which addresses shared operations, such as nominating law enforcement officials to embark on patrol ships or aircraft of another signatory, the report notes. Activities will be funded through the Djibouti Code trust fund. The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) is supporting law enforcement in the region by: increasing the exchange of intelligence; building regional police capacity; and cooperating with other international and regional organizations.to address the root causes of piracy. Coordination between the international community and the Somali authorities will be crucial in order to successfully combat piracy and its root causes. Noting the burden on regional States, especially Kenya, for prosecuting suspected pirates, the Secretary-General urges the international community to provide assistance, including technical assistance and correction facilities.

It will be crucial for the Somali authorities to re-establish their security institutions and the rule of law and to provide sustainable livelihoods in order to address the root causes of piracy, the Secretary-General says. Corruption from all sources, including human trafficking and the smuggling of illegal commodities, needs to be eliminated to effectively counter piracy.

Efforts to increase security of the ports in Somalia have demonstrated a tangible counter-piracy effect, and he encourages Member States and regional organizations to coordinate efforts to assist the Transitional Federal Government to strengthen port security.

Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), said piracy was, first of all, very successful business, with outlets in the region and beyond. It was very important to see it as a criminal activity. In conclusion, he said piracy was a symptom of wider problems ashore in Somalia. The only sustainable solution would be effective governance, the establishment of the rule of law and security institutions and the creation of alternative livelihoods in Somalia for stable and inclusive economic growth.

Mission:

What we expect is that all the countries can come to an agreement on how to help Somalia solve her problem on land so that the people will want the piracy to stop. Remember right now for many people it is a way to earn a living-working as a pirate or for the pirates. We also need to help them set up a working government. How and who should punish the pirates also needs to be debated so as not to put too much burden on countries that would find it hard to do.

Questions:

1. Has your country ever had pirates?
2. Has any of your boats or citizens been held captive by pirates?
   If yes, explain when, who,and what happened.
3. Which countries have already had problems with the Somalia pirates-boat and/or citizens?
4. Could your country be affected in the future
   even though they do not have this particular problem?
5. What is your country’s opinion on the problem?
6. What are some possible solutions to the problem?

Web Sites:

• somalia-pirates.com
• www.hagoclic.com/tema/internacional/africa
• www.hollowpointprotection.com