MOGADISHU (Halbeeg) – UN Counter-Piracy Trust Fund (CPTF) said the UN Fund allocated for counter-piracy has improved maritime security in the horn of Africa and western Ocean coastline.
The fund has been used to protect marine vessels since its inception in 2011.
It was used through enhanced prosecution of culprits and fighting against marine crimes such as maritime piracy.
Marine crime is not only a threat to the entire maritime security of goods and people in the industry but also gives major setbacks to the entire marine industry economically.
Speaking at the 21st Plenary Session on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia which took place in Nairobi, Kenya, Jaime Serpanchy, the Secretary of CPTF) said that technical support for countries affected by piracy in the Horn of Africa region has improved their capacity to prosecute criminals involved in the vice.
“The trust fund’s primary mission which is to assist countries in the horn and eastern African region carry out piracy prosecutions has been a success,” said Serpanchy.
Serpanchy said the UN counter piracy trust fund has facilitated the rollout of forty projects in the greater horn and eastern African region to promote maritime security that is key to economic growth.
“The biggest impact of the fund so far is the establishment of a piracy prosecution centre in Seychelles. It is the only centre of its kind in the world,” Serpanchy said.
She underscored that the establishment of a specialized centre to deal with maritime crimes has contributed to a sharp drop in the hijacking of commercial vessels in Somalia and Western Indian Ocean coastlines.
“It is now possible to try pirates caught in the high seas and prevent them from interacting with the outside world,” said Serpanchy.
She revealed that the UN counter piracy trust fund has supported training of Kenyan prison personnel on the human rights-based prosecution of criminals involved in the hijacking of merchant ships
The agency trained coastguards and marine police on means to curb on the threat of piracy.
“We are assisting these countries including Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and Seychelles to counter all aspects of piracy through training of maritime police and agencies involved in the prosecution of suspects,” she stated.
The 21st Plenary Session was attended by an estimated 200 delegates from 68 countries.
Among the participants are Senior policymakers, representatives of multilateral agencies and security experts.
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