IMO adopts resolution to tackle Somali pirates

IMO adopts resolution to tackle Somali pirates

Related Stories •   UN Secretary-General acknowledges call for Somalia piracy action •   U.S. Navy responds to pirate attacks off Somalia

The International Maritime Organization Assembly today repeated calls for action to eradicate piracy off the Somalia coast and called on the East African country’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to allow foreign warships or military aircraft to enter its waters to combat attacks on ships.
   The request to the TFG is part of a new IMO resolution on piracy and armed robbery against ships in waters off the coast of Somalia, which was adopted today after recommendation by IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos.
   Among other things, the resolution asks the TFG to take necessary action to prevent and suppress acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships originating from within Somalia, and to ensure that its coastline cannot be used as a safe haven from which attacks can be launched. It also asks the TFG to ensure that all ships seized by pirates and armed robbers and brought into its territory are released promptly and that ships sailing off the coast of Somalia do not become victims of acts of piracy or armed robbery.
   In addition, due to Somalia’s deteriorating humanitarian situation, it also asks the TFG to advise the Security Council of its readiness to conclude any necessary agreements so as to enable warships or military aircraft to safely escort ships employed by the World Food Program (WFP). ' Simon Heaney