PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Maritime Transport, Ports and Counter-Piracy
Government of Puntland, Somalia
Jan. 23, 2011
The strong action against pirate criminals by the navies of South Korea and Malaysia on Jan. 21 is a clear indication of resolve on the part of the international community. Suspected pirates off the Horn of Africa coastline have terrorized innocent travellers and threatened international maritime trade routes in recent years.
This piracy problem is not exclusive to Somalia or to the region, but has major ramifications for global security and trade. Puntland Government does not believe there is a solely military solution to the piracy problem; however, piracy is an organized crime with international connections that is mainly fuelled by the continued multi-million-dollar ransom payments.
Puntland Government reiterates its strong opposition to ransom payments.
“The pirates are currently holding hundreds of people hostage. It is important to send these pirate criminals a clear indication that their actions has major consequences for their lives and I commend the South Korean and Malaysian navies for sending the right signal,” said Hon. Said Mohamed Rage, Puntland’s Minister for Maritime Transport, Ports and Counter-Piracy, who added that there is currently 280 pirates in Puntland jails.
He noted that the Puntland Government is preparing a major offensive against pirates on land and urged the international community to assist Puntland with security training, capacity-building for judicial branch, media awareness, and the creation of alternative livelihoods for coastal communities.
Hon. Minister Rage expressed special thanks and welcomed the efforts of U.N. Special Envoy to Somalia Hon. Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, the U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Piracy, Hon. Ambassador Jack Lang, and the International Contact Group on Piracy.
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