After the Seychelles, the Comoros?

(BRUSSELS2) Pirates are no longer limited to the coast of Somalia, but scouring the entire Indian Ocean, the Comoros archipelago (south-west of the Seychelles) fears being targeted in turn. This was declared by the Chief of Staff of the Comorian army, Brigadier General Salimou Amir in Mombasa, on the occasion of an exercise which will bring together from November 21 to 26, 14 countries of the region. , in Djibouti. “We expect the pirates to arrive any day now.” he explained according to the Kenyan press which reports his remarks. The Comoros "are waiting for help from certain countries such as Kenya or the Nordic countries" to help them fight against piracy. The main objective: to strengthen the Comorian coastguard corps. If this fear is proven, the French island of Mayotte could become an advanced surveillance post for piracy.

Even if it cannot accommodate frigates in its port, its lagoon offers a welcome to warships of all sizes. The island has just been equipped with a helicopter from the gendarmerie, is finishing its radar equipment, and has several speedboats (gendarmerie, customs, etc.), mainly intended to fight against illegal immigration (coming from the island neighbor of Anjouan) but which can, if necessary, be used to fight against piracy. It has a detachment of legionnaires and sailors responsible in particular for ensuring the State's “action at sea” mission. It is also equipped with powerful DGSE observation antennas.