French navy forces intercept suspected pirates off the coasts of Somalia and the Seychelles in this picture released by the French Ministry of Defence November 13, 2009. Photo/REUTERS
Saturday, March 27, 2010
By JOE MBUTHIA,Paris, Friday
Speaking to a visiting group of African journalists from Burundi, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya, Rear Admiral Christophe Prazuck, who also heads the communication department in the ministry of Defence, added that the previously rag-tag group of Somali attackers was becoming better organised by the day.
Earlier, the attacks seemed uncoordinated, and in many cases, a ship could speed off before the pirates could hoist their ladders along the ship in order to forcibly board it, but now the attacks are taking an ominous turn, with precision that was hitherto unseen.
In almost all cases, the attackers are always 11 in number, and come in three boats. One is a supply boat with fuel, and food, while the other two are for attacking. When two boats attack from either end, one fires at the ship while the rest quickly place the ladder and climb on board.
“If they fail, the pirates quickly throw their weapons into the sea because without evidence they cannot be taken to any court of law,” said the rear admiral. “They later claim to be fishermen.”
Prazuck also indicated that with the recent attack of a ship more than 1,000 miles closer to India, it seemed that the pirates have widened their area of operation. Attacks, he said, had also increased, from 20 in 2008 to 90 in 2009.
With more than 30 European ships operating in the Indian Ocean area, coverage is still inadequate and best practices are being instituted to combat the piracy menace.
Priority
He also said that assistance to Kenya and Seychelles, where the pirates are taken for trial, has been a priority for the European, NATO and the other forces operating in the Indian Ocean area to combat piracy. But a lasting solution is being sought, and he concurred that it lies in Somalia rather on the high seas.
Source: Daily Nation