Security Council Voices Concern over Maritime Piracy in West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea
New York, Aug 30 2011 - The Security Council today voiced concern over increasing maritime piracy, armed robbery and
reports of hostage-taking in the Gulf of Guinea, saying the crimes were having an adverse impact on security, trade and
other economic activities in the sub-region.
The Council took note of efforts by countries in the Gulf of Guinea to tackle the problem, including joint coastline
patrols by Nigeria and Benin and plans to convene a summit of Gulf of Guinea heads of State to discuss a regional
response.
“In this context, members of the Council underlined the need for regional coordination and leadership in developing a
comprehensive strategy to address this threat,” said a statement read out to the press by Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri
of India, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency this month.
The Council urged the international community to support countries in the region, as well as the regional organizations
– the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
¬¬– and other relevant bodies, in securing international navigation along the Gulf of Guinea, including through
information exchange, improved coordination and capacity building.
The Council took note of the intention by the Secretary-General to send a UN assessment mission to look into the
situation in the region and explore possible options for UN support.
Members of the Council also stressed the need for the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA) and the UN Office for Central
Africa (UNOCA) to work, within their current mandates, with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UN
International Maritime Organization (IMO), as well as with all concerned countries and regional organizations.
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
ENDS