Weekly Pirate Activity Update - 16 December

CEANUSLive Weekly Pirate Activity Update 

No pirate attacks as the northeaset monsoon kicks in. Pirate activity halted ashore but alarming target shift. Prison funded by locals opened in central Somalia. US court hands out life sentences. Bangladeshi pirates killed. UK delegation visits Somalia as US says Djibouti is a key partner. Denmark agreement with Seychelles and airport drone crash. IMO actions cause for cautious optimism. EU agrees basis for new mission. Maersk Alabama film given release date.

In spite of the onset of the Northeasterly monsoon in the Greater Somali Basin being a contributing factor to the decrease in pirate activity, pirate attacks are down compared to this time last year. There are fewer ships and hostages held, but that does not help the sick crew of MV Iceberg 1.

Reports of pirates kidnapping a child as part of a ransom dispute between pirates causes consternation but Puntland claims to have cleared out a pirate hub; the area is 'officially pirate free'. In the Galgadud region, 10 pirates, in their expensive cars, were captured and will face trial following investigations.

In Bangaldesh, 10 pirates were wounded by police, but after a 3-hour gunfight the pirates were beaten to death by a mob. Weapons and five trawlers were recovered.

Local businessmen and Galmudug Diaspora, in central Somalia, have funded one of the largest prisons in the region which will be used to house pirates and criminals.

In the US, a former Somali police officer and an electrician were sentenced to life terms for their part in the hijack of the American yacht, Quest, which saw four Americans killed. One was a commander of the pirate group and had ordered the firing of an RPG at a US warship, but the prosecutor said neither were involved in ordering or carrying out the shooting of the hostages.

As the year comes to an end, the IMO's work under the banner "Piracy: Orchestrating the Response", has seen the foundation for cautious optimism as pirate attacks have reduced. Through political engagement, efforts to improve information sharing and expediting the release of seafarers, the organisation can look back at relatively good progress.

A delegation from the UK paid a visit to Mogadishu to lay ground for the highly awaited international conference on Somalia in London on Feb. 23 in 2012. In the meantime, the US Secretary of Defence, Leon Panetta, says the nation of Djibouti, in east Africa, has become a key partner in the fights against terrorism and piracy. The US has just opened an embassy compound in Djibouti.

After the EU announced the boost to funding for the African Union, the organisation has stated that agreement for the basis of a new mission to combat piracy off the Horn of Africa and Western Indian Ocean states, with the aim of strengthening maritime capacities.

The Seychelles efforts to end piracy in the region received further support in the agreement with Denmark. A Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which allows Danish forces to enter territory and waters in the pursuit of anti-piracy operations.

With the successes of the navies and private security in stemming the tide of pirate attacks, it was declared that pirates would need to evolve their tactics to achieve future success. The probabilty of intelligence-led attacks has been mooted with one attack off Oman mentioned as the forerunner.

A man convicted and acquitted of piracy by the French courts is left with his freedom in a strange land. After 3 years held in custody, and now running out of money in a country he was brought to against his will, he is considering applying for asylum.

Captain Richard Phillips and the crew of the Maersk Alabama were attacked by four Somali pirates intent on hijacking the vessel on April 8th, 2009. The book, 'A Captain's Duty' by Captain Phillips, is to be made into a movie with Tom Hanks in the lead role, has been given a release date for 2013.

East Africa                                

As if kidnappings, ransoms, murder and hijackings weren't enough, pirates sank to a new low today by kidnapping a nine year old boy in Galkayo of Somalia's Mudug region over a ransom dispute. 

One pirate allegedly stole ransom money from another pirate, which resulted in the kidnapping, according to the father of the boy.

"My innocent son is in the hand of pirates. I don't know where he is now. The pirates told me they kidnapped my son to get money from another pirate, who is a close relative of mine, as payback," the boy's father, Habiib Farah Gaas, told Somalia Report. 

Other parents in Galkayo are worried about this new pirate tactic.

"We are very sorry to hear that. It's far from our Islamic religion and against humanitarian rights to kidnap children because of an other's fault, Mohamed Salah, a resident of Galkayo district told Somalia Report.

It is the first time pirates have kidnapped a child to use as leverage in a ransom dispute, which could mark a new trend for the desperate criminal gangs as hijacking ships becomes more difficult.

However, it was reported that pirates released a 9-year-old kid they held hostage for more than 48 hours, regional officials said on Saturday.

According to the officials, the boy, who was seized by the pirates earlier this week, was freed unharmed, says Somalia Report.

"Yes I can confirm to you that this child was freed from the pirates," Ahmed Baasto, Galmudug's Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.

No ransom was paid as elders and local authorities took part in the negotiations and finally the pirates accepted to release the child," he said. According to the state officials, the boy is now in the safe hands of his parents and is in good health.

Bandarbeyla, located in the Karkaar region of Somalia's semi-autonomous state of Puntland, is officially free of pirates, senior officials told Somalia Report on Thursday.

After aggressive anti-piracy operations over the last month, police officers declared they removed all pirates from Bandarbeyla, a well-known pirate hub.

"The process has been going on since last month. People from Karkaar region and the government worked together to remove pirates from Bandarbeyla. I can confirm there aren't any pirates here anymore," Abshirayto, a police officer in Karkaar region, told Somalia Report.

"Last month we detained pirates investors in Qardho city and then we accelerated our movements against pirates in Bandarbeyla.  We will continue the anti-piracy operations until we remove pirates from all of Puntland's regions," Abshirayto added.

Officials are now seeking development and infrastructure projects, including schools and health centers, in order to create jobs.  "We would like to create development in Bandarbeyla. People needs schools, health centers, jobs, good water and fishing equipment. With pirates gone, people need development so they won't turn to piracy or support pirates," Said Ateno, the chairman of Bandarbeyla district, told Somalia Report.

"Thank you to our people who helped us remove pirates from our area," he added.

Meanwhile, after nearly two years in captivity on board MV Iceberg 1, the health of the hostages is reportedly deteriorating and pirates are planning to move them to land, according to pirates who spoke to Somalia Report.

The crew of the Panama-flagged vessel has been getting sick from the lack of good food, clean water and the overall severe environment of being at sea and in a harsh climate for so long.

"We are still holding the vessel. I don't want to talk about the ransom negotiations, but the crew members are sick," Aadan, a spokesman of the pirate group holding the vessel.

Local officials in Garacad also said that this vessel can cause any danger to the residents.

"The vessel is so near the seashore in Garacad area and we heard that this vessel carrying chemical so we are afraid that this chemical can cause us risks," said Abdi Karim Kayton, the chairman of Jariban district which controls Garacad village.

"Our police have conducted new operations against pirates after we got sources saying that pirates were landing a number of hostages who were sick.  We are requesting our government in Puntland to use power and remove this vessel from our region because this can any kind of virus and people can be in sick easily," added the chairman. Read more.

10 Somali pirates were captured on Tuesday by police belonging to the pro-government militia, Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa (ASWJ), in Dhusamareb, a town in the Galgadud region of central Somalia, according to ASW officials.

Injured Pirates (Photo: Somalia Report)

"We captured ten pirates, they will face a trial after we complete our investigations," said Sheikh Muqtar Abdullahi Yaow, an ASWJ official in the town of Hussar. 

"The pirates came into the town in expensive cars and drove down the main road of the town at a high rate of speed," a local businessman named Ali Ahmed told Somalia Report.

Through investigations, ASWJ forces uncovered that the pirates intended to kidnap foreigners who were staying in areas controlled by ASWJ.

Counter piracy task force NATO warship USS De Wert prevented a suspected pirate dhow from engaging in acts of piracy and forced it back to the Somali coast making further acts of piracy impossible at this time, reports Neptune Maritime Security.

While engaged in a replenishment at sea, USS De Wert received intelligence reports that a dhow acting suspiciously was in the vicinity and looked to be preparing to conduct acts of piracy. USS De Wert was tasked with locating and tracking the dhow while being prepared to conduct a boarding the following morning. At first light, USS De Wert closed the range to the dhow in preparation to board the vessel, but a high sea state was not conducive for a safe boarding.

USS De Wert continued to follow the vessel at close range as it proceeded back to the Somali coast, where it could be contained and prevented from patrolling the sea for victims. This disruption will cost the suspected pirates valuable lost time, and assets from unsuccessfully deploying an action group.

A new prison was officially opened on Monday in Garsoor village of Galkayo in Somalia's Galmudug region and will be used to house pirates and criminals, according to Galmudug's senior officers who spoke to Somalia Report on Tuesday. With the help of local businessmen and Galmudug's Diaspora who funded the project, Galmudgu now boasts of hosting one of the largest prisons in the region.

"Our population in Galmudug and those are Diaspora built this jail.

This will be so important to us because over the last few months we wanted  a place to put the pirates and now we have it," Ahmed Baasto, Galmudug's deputy minister for internal affairs, told Somalia Report.

"Pirates create a lot of insecurity in our region. Sometimes we arrested and detained them in old jails but they escaped. Now we hope that have built a suitable jail for pirates. Now we can properly begin our operations against the pirates," Minister Baasto added Galmudug is a well-known hub for Somali pirates and investors.

Somali piracy is the single biggest maritime threat since the Second World War, writes Martin Murphy for RUSI.org, with consequences resonating far beyond Somali shores that havepolitical, geostrategic, naval, economic and human security aspects. Martin N Murphy analyses each of these in turn, and argues that only a multi-layered approach, intertwining long-term political and economic incentives with a short-term clamp-down on pirate activities, can provide an effective and lasting solution. Read more (requires registration).

In Djibouti on 7 December, RAdm Christian Canova FRAN, Deputy Commander EU NAVFOR , transferred six powerful outboard motors which had been confiscated from Somali pirates to Colonel Abdourahman Aden Cher, Chief of the Djiboutian Navy - AllAfrica.com.

The engines were taken from small skiffs which had been stopped by EU NAVFOR units conducting counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa and exchanged for smaller engines which have sufficient power to get the suspected pirates back to Somalia but would not allow them to intercept and board merchant ships, thereby preventing subsequent pirate attacks. The engines have been completely overhauled and will provide a very useful upgrade to the Djiboutian Navy Rigid Inflatable boats.

South East Asia                      

Ten pirates wounded in a gunfight with police were later beaten to death by a mob in Bhola’s Bhashan Char on Monpura estuary yesterday afternoon [Dec 14], reports GCaptain.

Police recovered the body of an abducted fisherman from the scene. But it could not be independently confirmed whether 28-year-old fisherman Bellal Hossain of Char Nizam was killed in crossfire or earlier by the pirates.

Police insisted that the pirates killed Bellal after his abduction earlier in the day.

Law enforcers launched a hunt — following the abduction — for the pirate gang led by one Zakir. The raid by the police prompted a gunfight with the pirates that continued for three hours.

Wounded in a hail of bullets, the pirates came to surrender to the police. But angry fishermen and other local people, who had accompanied the law enforcers during the raid, beat the pirates to death, police said.

Two of the dead were Zakir, and his second-in-command, Bishu.

As many as 10 others, including two policemen, were injured during the raid that started around 2:00pm.

Police recovered two firearms and eight sharp weapons, and five trawlers, including two snatched from the fishermen, from the pirates’ den. The pirates threw their guns into the sea after they ran out of bullets, police said. Read more.

Reported last week, it is worth mentioning that one vessel had reason to feel lucky after being boarded twice by robbers within a few weeks. The Eria Colossus was attacked in the South China Sea on two separate occasions. The latest one is as follows:

South China Sea - December 8 (via IMB) at 00:40 LT in position 03:41.70S - 114:25.90E, Banjarmasin anchorage, Panama-flagged bulk carrier, Eria Colossus, was boarded by robbers using a grapnel hook. They opened the bolted hawse pipe cover and were seen by the alert duty cadet on deck watch. Raising the alarm using walkie-talkie, the D/O then sounded general alarm and blew the foghorn continuously. On hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped through the hawse pipe. Two boats were seen moving away from the ship. The ship attempted to contact port authorities but received no response. The ship had previously been boarded by robbers whilst at Balikpapan anchorage, Indonesia on November 14. Nothing was stolen on that occasion.

Pirates in Court                       

A former police officer has been sentenced to life in prison for his role as a leader in the hijacking of a yacht that left all four Americans on board dead, reports The Sacramento Bee.

U.S. federal court sentenced two more Somalis to life in prison on Thursday for their roles in a pirate attack on an American yacht earlier this year which resulted in the deaths of four U.S. citizens, prosecutors said.

Up Front News Wire reports, the defendants, 32-year-old Mohamud Hirs Issa Ali and 20-year-old Jilani Abdiali, both of Somalia, were among 19 Somalis who, after several days of sailing the sea in search of a vessel to pirate and hold for ransom, attacked the 58-foot (17.6-meters) American yacht S/V Quest in February and held hostage its four passengers south of Oman.

The U.S military initially offered the pirates to take the vessel as long as they released the hostages unharmed, but the leaders of the group refused the deal because they believed they would get little money just for the boat. A rocket propelled grenade (RPG) was then fired at a U.S. military warship and the hostages were shot at in an attempt to get the U.S. boats to retreat.

When U.S. military personnel boarded the Quest, they took fifteen Somalis into custody, including a juvenile who has not been charged in this case. Four pirates were shot dead by the U.S. military, and the four American hostages were found deceased.

On Thursday, Ali and Abdiali were sentenced to life in prison at a federal court in Norfolk, Virginia. Ali, who was previously a police officer in Somalia, pled guilty on May 23 to piracy under the law of nations and hostage taking resulting in death. Abdiali, an electrician, pled guilty on May 20 to piracy under the law of nations.

“As Somali pirates expand their territory, they place more individuals’ lives at risk,” said Neil MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “These men willingly joined this group of pirates out of greed, knowing full well that their actions could – and did – lead to the death of their hostages. They will spend their lives in prison for what they willingly chose to do and the lifetime of suffering and pain they thrust on the victims’ loved ones.”

Ali and Abdiali are among eleven men who have previously pled guilty for their involvement in the Quest hijacking and murders. Seven others were previously also sentenced to life in prison, and two other co-conspirators are to be sentenced on Friday.

Private Security                       

India last week detained a bulk carrier with a crew of 21 Ukrainian seafarers and two Irish security guards onboard.

The detention was imposed after authorities found four self-loading rifles and live cartridges onboard. It was claimed that the weapons were for defence against piracy, reports Shiptalk.

The vessel in question was the 2004-built, 55,137 dwt “Genco Provence”.

Further details have not been forthcoming, but it is understood that the vessel declared 320 cartridges, but that 392 were found. Such an approach does highlight  the ridiculous inconsistencies being applied by States.

We must support seafarers they say on one hand and spew platitudes about doing all possible to support the fight against pirates, then they take actions like this.

India is not the only country to take such schizophrenic steps – Egypt, for a time, banned carriage of armed guards and weapons through its territorial waters, including the Suez Canal. While South Africa has arrested several masters in similar circumstances.

Call to Arms & Actions          

At the end of a year in which the World Maritime Day theme of “Piracy: orchestrating the response” has been central to the work of IMO, the Organization can look back on 12 months of relatively good progress that have laid the foundations for cautious optimism about the future.

Recently compiled statistics show that the number of ships and seafarers held captive by Somali pirates have reduced from a peak of 33 and 733 in February to 13 and 265 respectively, at the beginning of December. The number of reported attacks has also declined from a high of 45 per month in January 2011 to 14 for the month of November 2011; and the proportion of successful attacks has been cut from 20 per cent in January 2011 to just 7 per cent in November 2011.

Throughout 2011, IMO engaged at the political level (mainly through the UN Security Council) to bring about a solution to the piracy problem and thus facilitate and expedite the release of seafarers and any other persons held hostage. In addition, the Organization intensified its work to strengthen the protection of persons (seafarers, fisherman and passengers), ships and cargoes in piracy-infested areas and also preserve the integrity of shipping lanes of strategic importance and significance, such as the Gulf of Aden. Read more.

The UN Security Council welcomed last week’s landmark visit to Somalia by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the political, security and humanitarian challenges in the country through collaborative efforts - UN.org.

After hearing from Mr. Ban, who visited the Horn of Africa country on Friday, the Council pointed out in a press statement that the consequences of the problems in Somalia include terrorism, piracy and hostage-taking.

Members of the Council reiterated their full support of Mr. Ban’s efforts and those of his Special Representative Augustine P. Mahiga, in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and other international and regional partners, to address Somalia’s challenges, including through the upcoming conference on Somalia in London early next year.

The Council, in the statement read by Ambassador Vitaly Churkin of Russia, which holds the Council’s presidency for this month, also welcomed Secretary General’s announcement that the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) will relocate to Mogadishu next month.

It called for faster implementation of the roadmap of key tasks and priorities to be completed by Somalia’s Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) before the current transitional arrangement ends in August next year, while recognizing the need for international support to facilitate the process.

Members of the Council said the future support to the TFIs will be contingent on the completion of tasks stipulated in the roadmap and took note of the Secretary General’s view that further extension of the roadmap would be untenable.

The Council commended the efforts of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali security forces in their military campaign against insurgents of the Al Shabaab group, and recognized their significant sacrifices.

The UN body reiterated its grave concern over the food crisis in Somalia and welcomed the international response and the tireless efforts of the relief workers. It urged Member States to contribute to the UN consolidated appeal for Somalia, and appealed to all parties and armed groups to ensure full, safe and unhindered access for the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Wednesday received in his presidential palace in Mogadishu a British delegation led by David Cameroon’s adviser, reports Neptune Maritime Security.

The UK delegation arrived in Mogadishu to lay ground for the highly awaited international conference on Somalia in London on Feb. 23 next year which will be hosted by Britain.

The delegation held talks with Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and other senior TFG officials in Mogadishu and discussed lengthily on several issues including Security, reconciliation process and the work plan of the recently adopted Roadmap.

Britain has earlier last month announced that it will host an international conference next year on tackling instability in Somalia and protecting ships from pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta says the nation of Djibouti, in east Africa, has become a key partner in the fights against terrorism and piracy - Voice of America.

Panetta made a brief visit Tuesday to Djibouti, where he met with President Ismail Omar Guelleh and thanked him for his support.

Speaking to reporters aboard the flight to Djibouti, Panetta said the country is helping the U.S. battle regional terrorist groups.

Somalia's al-Shabab militants are trying to overthrow the Somali government and establish an Islamic state.

The east African nation is also a haven for pirates who prey on ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.

While in Djibouti, Panetta also visited American troops. About 3,000 U.S. service members are stationed in the country.

Seychelles has signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Denmark on November 18, 2011 in New York on the sidelines of the meeting of the Working Group II (Legal) of the CGPCS (Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia), according to Breaking Travel News.

Seychelles Attorney General, Mr. Ronny Govinden, signed the document on behalf of Seychelles with the Danish representative, Ambassador Thomas Winkler, Under Secretary for Legal Affairs of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The objective of the SOFA is to provide a legal framework for the operation of the Danish Armed Forces in the Seychelles territory or waters in connection with anti-piracy operations.

It may be recalled that early this year a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Denmark on the transfer of suspected Somali pirates and armed robbers caught in Seychelles’ waters for prosecution in Seychelles. The SOFA would further the objectives and purposes of that MoU.

“The signing of this SOFA with Denmark is one more important step for Seychelles in the deterrence and prevention of acts of piracy in our waters through improved cooperation with our international allies,” said Minister Joel Morgan, adding that, “The improved coordination of international maritime operations with countries such as Denmark is steadily putting more pressure on pirates at sea and is lessening their chances of successful attacks.”

The Mozambican and South African governments have signed a memorandum of understanding on maritime security which seeks to boost the fight against Somali pirate gangs - IOL Daily News.

Presidents Zuma & Guebuza (IOL Daily News)

Other agreements signed during a state visit by President Jacob Zuma concern the establishment of a Bi-National Co-operation Commission that will meet at least once a year; co-ordination in radio frequencies; regular diplomatic consultations; a cultural programme covering the 2012-2014 period; and further memoranda of understanding on communications, and on forestry industries.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Mozambican Foreign Minister Oldemiro Baloi said that piracy was damaging the Mozambican economy because of the fear it caused among shipowners, and because of the reduction in maritime traffic along the Mozambique channel.

He said that the price of goods transported to Mozambique by sea was rising, because insurance companies were increasing the cost of the premiums shipping companies must buy.

He considered South Africa a major partner in the fight against piracy.

“With South Africa, in addition to patrols, we have training activities which connect with our entire co-operation in the defence sphere.”

China said Tuesday it is considering an offer from the Seychelles to host Chinese naval ships in the Indian Ocean island nation, highlighting the increasing global reach of a navy that recently launched its first aircraft carrier - AP.

State-run media gave prominent coverage to the Seychelles offer to allow rest and resupply for Chinese ships in the multinational force conducting anti-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia, which China has joined since late 2008.

But the reports were careful to reaffirm China's firm policy of not establishing permanent military bases overseas, a cornerstone of Beijing's claim not to be seeking regional hegemony or military alliances with other nations.

"China's position is clear. China has never set up military bases in other countries," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters at a daily news briefing.

Chinese ships assigned to the anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden have visited several ports to allow their crews to rest and to take on supplies, including in Yemen and Oman on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti on the Horn of Africa.

The China Daily newspaper said the invitation from the Seychelles was issued during a visit to the archipelago by Defense Minister Liang Guanglie earlier this month.

The South African Navy frigates SAS Isandlwana and SAS Mendi arrived in Durban yesterday, as they rotate for the anti-piracy patrol mission off Mozambique, reports Defence Web.

SA Frigate (Photo: Defence Web)

SAS Mendi returned from her second anti-piracy patrol in the Mozambique Channel while SAS Isandlwana has been at its base in Simon’s Town. The arrival of both ships in Durban indicates that SAS Mendi is returning from her deployment and is to be replaced by SAS Isandlwana, Ports.co.za reports. SAS Mendi sailed for Pemba, near the Tanzanian border, in late September.

SAS Mendi’s first deployment was from January to May, when she was relieved by SAS Amatola (F145). The Amatola arrived back in Simon's Town on September 19 after 126 days at sea.

The South African Navy, at the request of and with the aid and support of Mozambique, has maintained a forward station at the port of Pemba for much of this year. The naval presence has generally consisted of a frigate supported by reconnaissance aircraft of the South African Air Force, although it is possible that one of the South African Navy’s submarines (the SAS Charlotte Maxeke – S102) has also been on patrol in the region.

President Jacob Zuma in June and July authorised the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to combat piracy and other maritime crime off the east coast of Africa. In two letters to Parliament, Zuma said the authorisation expires on March 31 next year. Zuma's first letter, to the Speaker of Parliament, dated June 17, authorised the deployment of 200 military personnel from April 21. 

“This serves to inform the National Assembly that I have extended the employment of 200 members of the SANDF for service in Mozambican waters and international waters to monitor and deter piracy activities along the southern African coast of the Indian Ocean.”

The second letter, to Jerome Maake, co-chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, dated July 20, authorised 377 personnel from April 1. “This serves to inform the Joint Standing Committee on Defence that I have employed 377 members of the SANDF personnel [sic] to the Mozambique coast for a service in fulfilment of international obligations of the Republic of SA toward the Southern African Development Community (SADC) maritime security [sic], in order to minimise the threat of piracy and other illegal maritime activities.”

SA planned to spend R500m next year to stave off piracy in the Mozambican Channel, Lt-Gen Derrick Mgwebi, the defence force chief of joint operations, said yesterday, writes Business Day.

As most of Africa’s trade is conducted by sea, there has been growing pressure in the region for a co-ordinated approach to limit the hijacking of vessels. President Jacob Zuma was yesterday expected to discuss the issue with his Mozambican counterpart, Armando Guebuza.

The operation is likely to force SA’s cash-strapped defence force to request more funding from the Treasury to carry out its operations beyond SA’s borders.

Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu , who is accompanying Mr Zuma on his Mozambican state visit, has voiced her disappointment at the inadequate allocation by the Treasury.

In the current financial year, the defence force has received R38,4bn, which defence force officials say is insufficient to meet SA’s needs as a mediator of peace in conflict zones.

A lack of funding has also been blamed for the failure of the air wing to provide reliable and safe air transport for the president and deputy president.

A team of 24 troops from Uganda, part of the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), received vessel protection training from French and Estonian troops in Mombasa on board FS Floreal, which is operating in the region as part of the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR). 

The training provided to Ugandan troops was planned as part of ongoing improvements in capability and to enhance AMISOM’s drills in response to a potential pirate attack. The AMISOM team will form a cohort of troops who may embark on the M/V Petra which provides logistic support for AMISOM shipping en-route between Mombasa and Mogadishu, says Defence Web.

Training in the pirates’ modus operandi, tactics, rules of engagement, unarmed combat and detention of suspects were carried out onboard the FS Floreal before moving to the M/V Petra for practical drills, the EU NAVFOR said. The French frigate joined EU NAVFOR Task Force 465 on November 9. The 93.5 metre long vessel has a displacement of 2,950t when fully loaded. She has a crew of just under 100 and is equipped with a Panther helicopter.

The training culminated with the presentation of certificates by the Commanding Officer, Commander Christophe Pasco, to the AMISOM team. According to the Naval Force, the training will allow significant flexibility in the planning for World Food Programme and AMISOM escorts and if the occasion arises, these troops will be able to operate autonomously.

Piracy at Record High            

With the reported successes of navies and armed security guards it has become clear that pirates would have to evolve their tactics.

There is evidence that this is happening, and according to Lloyd’s List recent hijacks, such as the “Fairchem Bogey” attacked close to port limits off Oman, are evidence of what they are terming “intelligence-led” attacks - Shiptalk.

The “Fairchem Bogey” had armed guards on board during its transit of the High Risk Area – however as the vessel was approaching port they were disembarked. However, once the guards were gone the pirates struck.

Seacurus managing director Thomas Brown, speaking to Lloyd’s List, said of the “Fairchem Bogey”, “It appears to have been an intelligence-led attack, which was both extreme and exceptional. 

These attacks, however, are becoming more prevalent. People working in the ports are in the market to make money through the sale of intelligence and have access to a wide amount of data. If there is money to be made, inevitably people will be corrupted and intelligence will be passed into the hands of pirates”.

Mr Brown said the nature of attacks had become noticeably more intelligence-based over the past 12 months. “As shipowners have sought to protect themselves, the less speculative pirates can be. 

Gone are the days when they could put a group on a skiff with meagre supplies and weaponry and tell them not to come back until they have got something,” he argued.

The pirates have been spoken in terms of their cunning, their agility, their aggression – but seldom has their intelligence been an issue. Brown believes that in 2012 we could see a new breed of pirate, groups that work smarter, not harder.

He continued: “If there is a one vessel worth in the region of $10m, then it makes more sense to wait, gather intelligence and target that, rather than launch attacks on three or four lower-valued vessels that may not even have insurance. Pirates are moving towards well thought-out attacks for high prices, which we will see in the New Year.”

General Sir David Richards, the UK armed forces' most senior officer, says the UK should not compete for influence in China.

The armed forces' most senior officer has called for the UK to consider new military alliances with countries in Africa and the Arab peninsula rather than trying to compete for influence over the emerging powers of China and India - Guardian.

General Sir David Richards, chief of the defence staff, said in a world that looked "especially unpredictable and unstable" it was more important now than before to reach out beyond the obvious alliances to ensure the UK's security.

Richards said the UK and France were already working closely together and that other alliances should emerge. "As the world evolves, so new groupings will emerge. The most obvious is our alliance with the French. It is much more than the Entente Cordiale of a century ago. It is a vehicle for joint action.

"The UK will require other carefully chosen alliances over the coming decade through which to influence the strategic landscape and help determine the outcome of fast-moving crises.

"Already our collaboration with countries in the Gulf and Africa has delivered results in the region. Perhaps we should be focusing our defence relationships on these regions rather than competing for influence, with many others, in China or India."

Richards said that with the US saying explicitly for the first time that its main military focus was now in south-east Asia, it was time for the UK to "think through what this means to us".

In a speech at the Royal United Services Institute thinktank on Wednesday, Richards said Nato would remain "the most powerful military pact the world has ever known", but he warned that this would not be enough in the future.

And he hinted that further collaboration with Somalia could be a possibility.

"Alliances not only have the benefit of extending our reach and providing us with allies in times of need, they can also assist with the government's prevention strategy.

"Treating the causes of instability and terrorism at source is better and cheaper than dealing with the consequences, as Somalia's piracy demonstrates."

EU Policy                                 

The EU approved, on 12 December, the basis for a new Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission to fight piracy in the Horn of Africa and Western Indian Ocean states. This mission is aimed at supporting the already existing maritime capacity in the region, as part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to strengthen the ability of the affected regions to govern their own territorial waters and to “reinforce their capacity to fight piracy,” an EU statement said. The mission, whose operational planning will start shortly, will address two priorities: “strengthening the sea-going maritime capacities in the countries in the region” and training a coastal police force and judges in Somalia. 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 and Galmudug, the EU said, while training will take place in Djibouti and on the ground in the countries concerned.

On 5 December, the EU already agreed on a strategic framework for the Horn of Africa, boosting funding to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) by offering an additional €50 million to help end the crisis in the Horn of Africa and to fight against piracy. 

The new mission, agreed on 12 December, will be part of this new strategic framework for the region.

The mission will be complementary to two other CSDP missions in the same region: EUNAVFOR Atalanta (to fight piracy and protect food aid shipments) and EUTM Somalia (to train Somali security forces) - Europolitics.

As with all empires, the European Union had a beginning and will, one day, inevitably collapse. But what will the telltale signs be? How will we know the end is approaching? Spurred on by the tribulations of the single currency and a pervading sense of doom, civil servants in Brussels have been pondering these questions. Some have begun to wonder whether dedicating their careers to the European cause was the right move, writes Public Service Europe.

The collapse, it is commonly agreed, will not come as a single jolt. It will rather come in stages; the EU will in all probability crumble away over a number of years. Which policies, therefore, will be the first to buckle? Which jobs will be in the frontline for the chop? According to one theory, the bloc's litmus test is likely to be state aid policy.

A growing reticence to hand money to the EU could well be another sign that a collapse is around the corner. Greece, for example, already says it can no longer afford to participate in the EU Navfor piracy hunt off the coast of Somalia. A la carte projects such as Operation Atalanta will inevitably feel funding strains before the crumbling reaches core EU policies, such as agriculture. When peripheral member states begin to leave the EU, you can bet the end is nigh. This is the way the Roman Empire collapsed. The withdrawal of a membership application by an EU accession country, such as Turkey, would also be enough to set off alarm bells. If the economy gets really bad, EU citizens will emigrate in search of a better life on other continents. When this phenomenon becomes pronounced, EU officials will know their days are numbered.  

While there are as yet few signs of an impending collapse, it is becoming clear that the EU will end not with a bang, but with a whimper. There will be no announcement of the unravelling of the bloc, and no summit to reverse-engineer the EU treaty. It will simply fade away, piece by piece, until its functions are subsumed back into the member states or their regions.

Not a Pirate Tale                     

Following acquittal against the charge of piracy against the Carre'd As yacht in 2008, Abdullahi Ahmed Guelleh was released after 3 years in confinement awaiting trial. His five fellow accused were sentenced to between 4 and 8 years in a French prison. In the meantime, he is left with his freedom in a strange land he has only heard from the confines of his cell and in the transport to and from prison. 

Guelleh in his room (Photo: Lemonde/Bruno Fert)

With 600 Euros to pay for his lodging and food, it will not be long before it runs out. In a country he was brought to against his will, he is considering applying for asylum.

His situation is told in the French newspaper, Lemonde. Guelleh's lawyer stated he cannot travel back to Puntland, even if he could afford a ticket. The sponsor for the original pirate venture would likely seek revenge.

In his small hotel room, at Chatillon, Abdullahi Ahmed Guelleh has too much time to think. In the empty hours, he always chews the events that precipitated the coast of Somalia, the vastness of the ocean and the desert, to shed five square meters in the Hauts-de-Seine, lulled by the sound continuous traffic.

The man, aged 36, would almost regret the prison of Health, where he was still ten days ago. At least this life it offered something reassuring for this man uprooted, torn from his country by a group of French soldiers in 2008, moved to Paris a hood over his face, imprisoned for over three years as a suspected pirate, paid by a criminal court, Wednesday, November 30th, then threw the night in the streets of Paris, but without free papers, almost without money and without speaking the language. Read more (French language).

Seafarers' Plight                      

Blairgowrie [Scotland] this week will play host to a benefit concert aimed at securing the release of a couple kidnapped by Somali pirates.

Alyth-born musician Derek Johnstone (29) has organised the show to help his friend Jackie Cross – from Pitlochry – raise enough cash to get her South African mother and partner home.

“I was asked to help out and the only thing I could think of was to put on a show,” Derek told Blairie.

“I have been gigging for over 15 years now and thought a concert would help raise the cash.”

Debbie Calitz and Bruno Pelizzari were taken hostage by pirates in October 2010 as they entered the Mozambique/Madagascar Channel on their yacht.

Diplomatic attempts to secure their release have been unsuccessful.

The families, alone, have been unable to raise an amount that would be acceptable to the pirates.

Admitting the concert is out of the ordinary, Derek said: “When the idea was presented, at first, I was a bit sceptical but having heard the details of their plight, I’m happy to help.”

Derek revealed the SOS was made by a lifelong friend who had, up until now, “never asked anything of me”.

Piracy in Somalia has been a threat to sailors since the second civil war in 2005 begun. Read more.

Other News                              

An American military drone which had been used to monitor piracy off the East African coast has crashed at an airport on the island nation of Seychelles during a routine patrol, officials said Tuesday - AP.

The U.S. Embassy in Mauritius said the unmanned U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper was not armed and that the crash caused no injuries. The crash sparked a fire that was quickly extinguished.

Lina Laurence of Seychelles' civilian aviation authority said the drone developed engine problems minutes into its flight and needed to land as soon as possible Tuesday morning.

"But due to its accelerated landing speed, the aircraft was unable to stop before the runway's end," Laurence said.

The embassy's statement said the cause of the crash is being investigated.

"It has been confirmed that this drone was unarmed and its failure was due to mechanical reasons," Laurence said.

The affected runway was closed for about 10 minutes as a "precautionary measure," but was later reopened with no disruption to airport operations, Laurence said.

The U.S. military and the civilian aviation authority of Seychelles have coordinated to remove the debris, officials said.

The MQ-9 Reaper is a medium-to-high altitude unmanned aircraft system with sensors that can provide real-time data. The Seychelles-based MQ-9s, which are used to monitor piracy activities in and around the Indian Ocean, don't carry weapons, though they have the capability to do so.

And Finally...                             

It is rumoured that Maersk Alabama had been advised about 24 hours in advance of the attack that pirates were operating in the area they were about to transit and advised to head due east to avoid an encounter with them. This advice was apparently ignored. The rest as they say is history and about to be a movie - Intermanager.

Tom Hanks/Capt Phillips (Photo: Safety4Sea)

By the time Captain Richard Phillips was rescued from Somali pirates by Navy SEALs back in 2009, several things were clear. 1) Navy SEALs are badass, 2) Captain Phillips was going to show up on every single talk show in America, and 3) they were totally going to make a movie about it. Sure enough, Columbia Pictures grabbed the movie rights the very next month. Since then, the project has signed on Tom Hanks to play the lead role of Phillips and Paul Greengrass to direct. It's taken a while, but now the project -- officially titled Captain Phillips -- has nailed down a release date. The Playlist reports that Captain Phillips will make port in theatres on March 22nd, 2013.

In case you've forgotten the details, Captain Richard Phillips and the crew of the Maersk Alabama were attacked by four Somali pirates intent on hijacking the vessel on April 8th, 2009. The crew fought back with flares and even the ship's rudder, but the pirates made it aboard anyway. The crew had smartly rerouted control of the ship away from the bridge and powered everything down, so the pirates couldn't control the ship, but they did capture Captain Phillips and several crew members. Chief Engineer Perry managed to capture the pirate leader and they attempted to exchange him for Phillips, but the pirates -- surprise, surprise -- reneged on their deal and fled on one of the Alabama's lifeboats, with Phillips still in captivity. The American destroyer USS Bainbridge was dispatched to deal with the hostage situation, and the standoff continued for days, despite Phillips attempting to escape his captors. Phillips was finally rescued on April 12th, 2009, when three Navy SEAL snipers killed the remaining three pirates with three simultaneous shots, thus proving their badassery in a way that would not be surmounted until their appointment with Osama Bin Laden earlier this year.

In other words, it's got all the makings of an awesome movie. There's no question Hanks will excel in the role, and United 93 should remove any doubts as to whether Greengrass is the right person to tell a story like this one. If you want the patriotic puff piece, you call Michael Bay. If you want the story honestly and effectively told, you call Paul Greengrass.

Piracy Incidents                       

Hijack:

• None.

Unsuccessful Attacks (All Regions):

• Malacca Strait - Late Report - November 25 (via ReCAAP) at 23:00 LT, in position 01:31N - 104:47E, approximately 27nm east of Horsburgh, Malaysia tug, Atlantic 3, whilst towing barge, Atlantic 5, en route to Miri, Sarawak, an unknown number of pirates boarded the tugboat. They damaged communications systems onboard the boat and escaped with crew's personal belongings and cash. Nov 26, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) located the tugboat anchored off Sg Rengit, east of OPL. Master had reported the incident to Malaysian authorities.

• West Africa - Late report - December 6 (via ReCAAP) at 02:05 LT in position 05:16N - 004:02.10W, off Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Singapore-flagged supply ship, Pacific Amethyst, was boarded by two robbers whilst at anchor. When detected by a sentry who had alerted the bridge and then shouted at the robbers, the robbers attempted to frighten the crew but were unsuccessful and jumped overboard. They swam towards a waiting wooden boat and escaped. All 16 crew were mustered and found to be safe. It was discovered that the robbers had managed to steal one 25-litre drum of hydraulic oil.

• Malacca Strait - December 10 (via IMB) at 0340 LT: Posn: 01:42N - 101:29E, Dumai Inner Anchorage, Indonesia. Three robbers boarded an anchored Panama-flagged tanker, Trident Star, and entered the engine room. They took the motorman hostage, stole engine spares and escaped. The crew were mustered and port control and the agent were informed.

  Breaking report - Somalia Report states a vessel carrying charcoal with a crew of 12 was seized in Kisamayo, Southern Somalia.

AT LEAST 10 ships and an estimated 172 hostages (IMB figures) are in the control of Somali pirates, as well as an unknown number of small dhows. Somaila Report shows 14 ships held with 262 hostages held (7 Commercial and 7 Fishing vessels), along with a number of hostages taken from other vessels. EUNAVFOR figures state 7 vessels and an estimated 199 hostages are held.

VESSELS ARE REMINDED that the coalition forces' warships may not be in the vicinity of a pirate attack, subsequently, it is emphasised that seafarers can greatly reduce their chances of being pirated if they follow precautions as recommended in the Best Management Practices, increasing speed and carrying out evasive manoeuvres is a proven deterrent to piracy attacks. BMP version 4 is available at the link above; a high resolution version can be downloaded here.

VESSELS ARE ADVISED to exercise extreme caution when navigating in the vicinity of any reported positions of attacks and maintain maximum CPA with any ship acting suspiciously. Additionally, registration of vessel movement with MSC(HOA) prior to transiting the region is recommended. 

Horn of Africa Pirate Activity

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Any suspicious activity should be reported to UKMTO in Dubai in the first instance (Email UKMTO or Telephone+971 50 552 3215) and on entering the UKMTO Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) bound by Suez, 78E and 10S

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