Thursday, November 13, 2014
UNITED NATIONS, (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Wednesday renewed the mandate for states and regional bodies to fight Somali pirates for another year, noting that piracy and armed robbery are still exacerbating the situation in the country.
The 15-member UN body unanimously adopted the resolution, stressing the need for "a comprehensive response" to repress piracy and tackle its underlying causes by the international community.
The council decides to renew the authorizations granted to states and regional cooperating with Somalia in the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, said the resolution.
Meanwhile, the council urged the Somalian government to pass laws and establish security forces to counter piracy, as well as to enforce investigation and prosecution capability, underlining the primary responsibility of the Somalian authorities on this matter.
The Horn of African country has one of the most dangerous coastlines in the world due to piracy which threatens not only maritime workers but also the coastal economy.
Since the adoption of the first Security Council resolution on the fighting Somali pirates in June 2008, the incidents of piracy reported off the coast of Somalia are at the lowest levels in recent years, said Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman last month at a briefing to the council.
"In deed, the last time a large commercial vessel was hijacked, was more than two years ago," he said. However, he pointed out that 37 seafarers are still held by Somali pirates as hostages.
"Piracy off the coast of Somalia is also one of the manifestations of a political problem requiring a political solution," said Feltman, calling for a sustainable solution of state-building and inclusive governance.