SADC to host anti-piracy summit

According to Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, policy is required to combat piracy in SADC waters and to safeguard the economies of the many landlocked countries.

"SADC should strengthen and harmonise regional and domestic legal frameworks for arrest, awaiting trial detention, prosecution and imprisonment or repatriation of pirates," she said.

Sisulu said the catch and release of pirates should be stopped, since it allows experienced pirates to execute more sophisticated acts of piracy.

Piracy constitutes a serious challenge to the development and stability of SADC member states, given the importance of the region's international seaborne trade and its vital contribution to regional stocks and economic development.

According to Sisulu, a threat around the Horn of Africa and SADC waters will detrimentally affect SADC's trade and economy.

Sisulu said collective security for SADC remains a necessary pre-condition for the region.

"SADC will have to take responsibility for its own maritime security in cooperation with other regions, task forces, navies and role players."

Sisulu further said SADC member states should put in place robust laws to effectively prosecute pirates.

As SADC's coastal area does not fall within patrol areas of the international anti-pirate forces, SADC will have to take responsibility for its own maritime security.

The global incidence of piracy surged 36% on-year in the first half of the year due mainly to more attacks carried out by Somali pirates.

Despite the spike in attacks by Somali pirates, the actual number of vessels being hijacked off the eastern coast of Africa fell to 13% of all ships captured, compared with 27% a year earlier.