President Michel's piracy warning timely, says magazine

February 25 2011 -- A regional magazine that focuses on diplomatic activities says East African countries were hit by the effects of piracy only two months after President James Michel warned about them.

The Diplomat, based in Nairobi, quotes Mr Michel extensively, using large parts of his November 2010 speech which he gave at the African, Caribbean and Pacific fisheries meeting held here.

The President said then that piracy is affecting economies and "hijacking the whole of the Indian Ocean".

"Few took him seriously," says the February issue of the Diplomat, which adds: "In mid-January East African transport ministers found themselves grappling for answers over rising freight costs, which have translated into increased commodity prices in the region, caused by piracy on the western Indian Ocean shelf."

The ministers met in Mombasa and lamented higher shipping costs that have been pushed up by higher insurance premiums meant to cover the cost of ransoms demanded by Somali pirates.

The article also talks about Seychelles' successful rescue of Seychellois and Iranian sailors from pirates.

Quoting US government and other sources, the Diplomat says: "Hear out President Michel, who said: 'We are doing more than our part, while at international level not enough is being done. We need to review the strategy being adopted to tackle piracy, which is exploiting the weaknesses that exist in global governance. They exist not only because of the dire state of Somalia, but also because of the inaction of the international community. We need concrete action which does not simply skirt around the problem'."

The Diplomat says Mr Michel's sentiments are "spot on".

"At the moment Seychelles and Kenya shoulder the unwieldy burden of trying, convicting and incarcerating pirates," it says.

"That the international community is shying away from piracy is not in doubt.

"The biggest worry is what to do with pirates after they complete their jail terms. We cannot ask just a few countries in one region to deal with the problem."

The Diplomat's main offices are in Nairobi "because it is the regional hub of diplomats", one of its editors told Nation when contacted by telephone yesterday.

He said Seychelles has been given prominence in the publication because of "the outstanding work your President, armed forces and courts are doing to fight piracy".