Presenting the Secretary-General’s latest report on the matter, Martha Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General at the Department of Politics and Peacebuilding (DPPA), warned of a changing situation that would require a response stronger response.
The incident reduction is the result of concerted efforts by national authorities with the support of regional and international partners, both on land and at sea.
Actions such as increased patrols, deployment of naval assets, increased coordination, as well as sentencing, have played a role in deterring criminal activity.
Dynamic change
However, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea changed during this period, Ms. Pobee reported.
“Pirate groups are adapting to changing dynamics both at sea and in coastal areas,” she said.
“In this respect, the recent drop in piracy cases can be partly attributed to the transformation of criminal networks into other forms of maritime and river crimesuch as oil silos and theft, which they might consider less risky and more profitable.”
She emphasized that States and their regional and international partners need to accelerate efforts to establish security in the Gulf of Guinea, as outlined in the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, signed in June 2013 .
Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Politics and Peacebuilding and Peace Operations, presented a summary of the Security Council meeting on peace and security in Africa. .
Political and technical support
Ms. Pobee pointed to a number of achievements since then, such as the recent signing of an agreement to establish a Multinational Maritime Coordination Center (MMCC) for a region that includes Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea -Bissau, Mali and Senegal.
A maritime exercise involving 17 of the 19 countries bordering the Gulf of Guinea, as well as eight international partners, was also conducted last month over an area stretching from Senegal to Angola.
She also highlighted the UN’s ongoing political and technical support to States, including through agencies such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (U.N.UNODC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Address the underlying causes
She told the Council: “At present, there is no solid evidence to suggest any potential or possible link between terrorist groups and piracy.
“However, addressing the fundamental social, economic and environmental challenges facing communities in the region will ultimately help avert both threats.”
Ms. Pobee said the UN is also strengthening cooperation with international financial institutions to assist countries in addressing the root causes of instability and security.
Legal support
As the 10th anniversary of the Yaoundé framework approaches, UNODC head Ghada Waly has pointed to the opportunity to devote more attention, resources and action to supporting maritime security and the rule of law in the Gulf of Guinea.
She called on the international community to help governments develop legal capacity and frameworks, with domestic laws criminalizing piracy and allowing prosecution.
“We must improve investigative and prosecution capacity, support enforcement efforts, and achieve the ‘legal end’ of every case pursued,” she said.
Ghada Fathi Waly (on screen), Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, presents a summary of the Security Council meeting on peace and security in Africa.
Expand cooperation
Ms. Waly stressed the need to react quickly to changing piracy trends to “stop the simple threat of another form”.
She called for the development of a regional framework to expand cooperation and called for vigilance against the possibility of terrorist groups in the Sahel linking up with criminal enterprises in coastal regions.
The UNODC Executive Director also highlighted the urgent need to address the root causes of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea by working with vulnerable coastal communities.
These populations are also dealing with challenges such as environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity due to climate change and illegal fishing.
Prevent crime, attract youth
“Crime at sea must be stopped and held accountable, but to ensure a truly sustainable response, due attention must be paid to who could become such a criminal, the factors that are empowering them and those most affected.” .
“We must pursue community-based crime prevention strategies and engage with at-risk and marginalized youth to hone personal and social skills, prevent risky behavior risks and create opportunities for them.”
Ms. Waly said UNODC is supporting the development of community-based crime prevention strategies in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, which she hopes will be replicated in other coastal communities.
