Bartamaha (Dar es Salaam ):- The government has formed a taskforce to look into the possibility of the country prosecuting suspected Somali pirates arrested by members of an international anti-piracy force patrolling the Indian Ocean, it has been learnt.

Attorney General Frederick Werema confirmed yesterday that the team would consider a request that Tanzania prosecutes piracy suspects arrested in the Indian Ocean.

The move comes as the international patrol force struggles to end frequent attacks on ships and other vessels in the Indian Ocean by Somali pirates, who usually claim ransoms in millions of dollars.

It also follows reports that Kenya has indicated it would stop the trials of Somali pirates on national security grounds. The country has accused European countries of failing to keep their part of the bargain, including the provision of extra funds to run the trials in local courts.

Tanzania has recently witnessed a surge in pirate attacks in its exclusive economic zone, with the gangs early this month attempting to hijack four vessels heading to Dar es Salaam and Mtwara ports. Members of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) repulsed the pirates, and arrested one suspect, who has appeared in court in Dar es Salaam on piracy charges.

The Pan African News Agency (Pana) revealed in Nairobi on Monday that EU anti-piracy task force officials have asked Tanzania to consider taking over the prosecutions as part of joint efforts to combat piracy in the region.

Reached for comment yesterday, Mr Werema told The Citizen that the request was received last week before the special committee was formed. He declined to name members of the committee, but said they would work under Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation ministry.

“The government will consider the committee’s recommendations before making its position clear. We are signatories to the international marine convention which obligates us to cooperate with other signatories in protecting the oceans,” the AG said. He added that the team would look at how the contract, if signed, could affect the country’s relations with other countries.

Mr Werema said the committee would also consider the financial aspect of the request made to Tanzania.

“You need buildings, manpower and modern equipment if you are to successfully try high-level criminals like pirates,” he said, adding that there was also a need to take into consideration what the law said about piracy.

According to Mr Werema, under the reviewed anti-piracy laws, the country could only prosecute suspected pirates caught on its waters and those operating in the high seas, but not those who are caught on Somali waters or elsewhere.

European Union Naval Force Somalia (Eunavfor) Rear-Admiral Philippe Coindreau recently met with government officials, including the navy chief, who reportedly expressed his worries over piracy. This was during the French warship FS De Grasse’s visit to Dar es Salaam port.

Senior Staff on board FS De Grasse used the meeting to give technical advice to the Tanzanian Navy on the use of the “Mercury” network. Mercury is a real time information platform between military actors in the area, the statement added.

The meeting was also attended by the head of the EU Delegation, Mr Tim Clarke, and the French Ambassador, Mr Jacques de Labriolle.

“This valuable meeting discussed issues concerning prosecution of pirates and means to better support regional initiatives,” Eunavfor said on its website.

Local partners and diplomats in Tanzania have all declared being deeply concerned by piracy. The head of the EU Delegation to Kenya, Mr Eric van der Linden, has challenged the countries in the East African region to take over their regional security issues seriously.

The EU already has some transfer agreements and negotiations are still going on for similar agreements with other partners in the region.

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Source:-The Citizen.

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