Piracy in West African waters

Again on West Africa, this time on piracy: the Gulf of Guinea has experienced this year 30 sea incidents. In two cases, the local pirates have managed to capture the ships.

 Figures show that the Gulf has had more incidents this year than the Somalia waters -20 cases so far in that part of the Indian Ocean.  It is time to start discussing some big international operation in West Africa, even if its waters are no as vital as the East Africa ones for world trade. If the issue is not addressed soon the economies of the coastal states will be seriously impacted by the growing piracy. And soon we might even see an attack against one of the offshore oil platforms, either in Nigeria or in Ghana.

Soldiers and Police

I have just been invited to address a high level (ministerial) meeting on the security threats in the Sahel Region. 

The initiative is a good one, because the Sahel has an impact on North Africa and Europe and the meeting brings people from those two sides of the Mediterranean together. But the interesting thing is that the meeting is called by defence leaders. The military are indeed looking at the issue.

But my message to them will be, among other things, a very clear one: these matters call for a close cooperation between the military and the police establishments. They are an opportunity for both sides to work together and show they can cooperate. 

Libya needs a stronger partnership with the EU

Libya´s internal situation calls for enhanced international support. The EU leaders need to engage the Libyan authorities and make clear they are ready for a much stronger and more coordinated partnership with the country. Institution building and the restoration of state authority are key priorities. The international assistance should focus on them. And recognise that a chaotic Libya at the doorstep of Europe and in the margins of the Sahel is a major threat to our stability and to the security of the very fragile African states that are in the vicinity. 

To pay or not to pay?

A couple of days ago four Frenchmen that had been kidnapped in Niger three or so years ago were released by their captors. 

Kidnapping of Europeans became, a few years ago, a new business line for the many bandits that operate in the vast and lonely sands of the Sahel and Sahara.

I was, at a given time, involved in combatting that type of crimes. And it was said, already then, that the French are always ready to pay ransom money. Therefore, for the armed bandits to kidnap a French citizen was the best move. There was good money at the end of the line.

And this time again, there has been a payment. €20 million is a good sum. It was paid by a private company, we are told. But for the fellows out there, money is money, be it from the State or from a deep private pocket.

In the end, the question that matters is clear: should ransom money be paid to get kidnapped persons released? The answer is not that simple. At least, for some.