“I condemn in the strongest terms any form of armed robbery or piracy at sea,” declared SRSG Kay. “While Somalia continues to experience significant political progress, significant security gains and efforts to advance economic recovery, I am concerned that any increase in piracy could erode the progress achieved to date.”

A Pakistani fishing vessel, sailing under the Iranian flag, with 15crew members on board fell prey to Somali pirates off the coastal area of south central Somalia.  The hijacked boat was forced to sail towards a pirate enclave near El Hur. While this seizure off the coast of Somalia marks the third incident in recent months, there have been several unsuccessful attacks over the last two weeks.  

Piracy has been curtailed over the last three years due to effective deterrence by international naval forces, privately armed security guards on board merchant ships, and mariners avoiding the high-risk area along the Somali coast.

“With the recent rise in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Somali territorial waters, I am deeply concerned that Somalia could be facing a resurgence of piracy. While condemning these criminal acts I urge all fishing vessels to obey the Federal Government’s Fisheries Law and fully respect the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Somalia,” SRSG Kay added.