Seychelles President Winning For Indian Ocean
Source: The People
President James Michel has outlined five areas of intervention to rescue Somalia and curb the piracy threats in the Indian Ocean region. The Seychelles Head of State has also thanked the UK Government, in particular Prime Minister David Cameron, to have assembled leaders to further discuss these issues.
For three years Seychelles has been on the frontline of the fight against piracy, this week, President James Michel takes centre stage at the London Conference on Somalia, to reiterate his appeal to the International Community for increased commitment and support to peace-keeping forces within Somalia, as well as targeted interventions against all criminal and terrorist groups to displace hubs of criminal activities. President Michel built on the momentum regarding the situation in Somalia, by giving interviews on television stations in the UK and the popular American network CNN.
His message throughout has been to stop the Somali perpetrators in their criminal actions, re-connect them to the region and the world, and so that they strive for their own development. Mr. Michel added that unless piracy is stopped these good things will not be achievable for Somalia.
The five key areas of intervention that Michel’s government has proposed as priorities include, firstly, giving full support to the peacekeeping efforts in Somalia through AMISOM to better empower Somalia’s control over its own coastline.
Secondly, to displace those forces that are using terrorism to further destabilize Somalia. Thirdly, to work with regional governments and communities within Somalia to strengthen the potential for investment in infrastructure in these regions, as well as the implementation of the effective rule of law. President Michel explained that prison capacity in Somalia is a key part of the equation. Seychelles is currently working with its Somali partners in the TFG, the governments of Puntland and Somaliland to be able to undertake the transfer of convicted pirates to designated monitored prisons in Somalia. Seychelles has already demonstrated its determination to end impunity, with 63 pirates already convicted and serving sentences of up to 22 years. Seychelles has also recently taken on a further 18 pirates from UK and Danish vessels – Seychelles has reached the limit of – even surpassed its detention capacity. “The burden needs to be shared”, said the President.
Fourthly, President Michel said there is a need to strengthen the capacity of regional coastal states to be more involved in oceanic governance, interdiction, surveillance and enforcement of the rule of law. “We cannot fight what is a war of the international community alone. There is a crucial need to reinforce the naval and judicial capabilities of littoral states. Seychelles can do a lot, if additional resources are put at our disposal”, the President explained.
Finally, the President said strengthening of information and intelligence sharing networks is important. He noted that he was extremely pleased that Prime Minister Cameron and himself have been able to sign a groundbreaking agreement to establish a Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecution and Intelligence Centre in Seychelles. The centre, President Michel said, would target the financiers of piracy – those who are perpetuating the cycle of poverty and violence.
The President ended his intervention by reminding the world that there are 1000 hostages currently still held in Somalia, and two of them are his compatriots. Read more at OCEANUSLive.
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