Atalanta will receive the mandate to monitor the Somali coast

(BRUSSELS2) In Palma de Mallorca, the Spanish Defense Minister, Carme Chacon, announced that an agreement had been reached to direct the European anti-piracy mission EUNAFOR Atalanta in a more offensive way.

« European Union defense ministers agreed on Wednesday to broaden the objectives of Operation Atalanta to include control of Somali ports where pirate ships moor and the possibility of "neutralising" (mother ships ) that allow pirates to act more than a thousand kilometers from the coast. And ' Rear Admiral Peter Hudson, expressed his availability to take on new tasks with a view to intensifying the control and surveillance of ports and exercising the right of intervention on the high seas” explained the minister. A bilateral meeting brought together the two leaders (see photo - Spanish presidency).

True or false ?

One might wonder if this statement is not a communication for internal use. This is partly the case, let's face it. The issue of the fight against piracy is very politically sensitive in Spain and is one of the priorities of the presidency (1). And there can be no question for a Minister not to achieve these priorities. But there is also a fact: Spain has been very involved from the start (with France) and one of the driving forces behind the operation. Such a political analysis would therefore be very reductive. Because there are developments that are very real. I made the point during my stay in Palma and afterwards, with several interlocutors. Here is a short summary.

What is really changing?

On the coverage area

We remember that Spain, from the start, campaigned for an extension of Operation Atalanta in its geographical area, considering it just as important to be in the Somali basin as in the Gulf of Aden. A well-understood national interest, particularly to defend the Spanish fishery present between Seychelles and Somalia. In fact, according to several discussions with officials, there does not seem to be any sharing of zones in the strict sense, as the Spanish minister implied: NATO in the Gulf of Aden, Atalanta in the Somali basin. Simply, the European operation is the only one for the moment to be permanently present in the Somali basin. And it now has a significant aerial surveillance capability (read here). While most of the means of the other multinational forces (CTF 151, NATO, China, Japan, Russia, etc.) are concentrated in the Gulf of Aden for monitoring the international traffic corridor (IRTC), a vital corridor for the global shipping. The objective would be to have a little more means in the Somali basin.

On the destruction of mother ships

The "neutralization" of the mother ships is not new to Atalanta's priorities. Already, when he took stock of his action in May 2009, before his departure, Rear Admiral Phil Jones, who was then in command of the operation, explained that the mother ships were to be one of the future lines of action, “ it is the backbone of the activity” (2). And at the beginning of February 2010, for his "return to school" conference, the Rear Admiral Hudson confirmed that discovering and neutralizing the mother ships was his primary objective (3).

On the blockade of ports

The idea of ​​blocking ports, mentioned at the time of the capture of the Spanish tuna boat Alakrana, by several Spanish politicians (4) is no longer among the possible developments. We are talking about "surveillance" of ports, not blockades. A device that was, in any case, not possible both for international reasons (it is an act of war) and practical (5).

On port monitoring.

The EUNAVFOR European mission did not wait for the latest developments to adopt a more preventive attitude. Mission had thus been given to any ship of the Atalanta operation when they go up along the Somali coast to monitor any suspicious movement. French frigates Lafayette and Belgian Louise Marie have thus proceeded (6). We remember the Norwegian frigate Fridtjof Nansen Twice engaged in shooting with Somali "fishermen" (7). The Atalanta operation had seen in the decision extending its mandate, this one being slightly extended to the "mission of surveillance of illegal fishing" (8). " Nothing really new operationally an officer confirmed to me. " We adopt our tactics as the situation evolves. The pirates change regularly and also adapt to our changes in tactics. We must constantly evolve ". We are there in the classic "game" of cat and mouse between the policeman and the thief.

Where is the novelty(ies) then?

Political consensus and reinforced means

Now there is a political consensus to formalize this port surveillance action — which will therefore now become more systematic and ... more official. A decision to this effect should thus be taken at the Foreign Affairs Council in March (modification of the concept of crisis management). Time which coincides with the end of the winter monsoon and the change of command (the suédois takes over from the Italian on April 14). There is also a commitment by the Member States taking part in the operation — particularly Spain — to provide additional resources to carry out these new tasks. And it's probably just as important, as a naval officer confirmed to me: " It is not really a question of a will to act but of the means to do so. ". It is also a question of being prepared in the face of an offensive return from the pirates. The current monsoon season has explained the "relative" calm of pirate offensives in recent weeks.

Extension for at least 2011

The Ministers also agreed on the need to extend the Atalanta mission beyond 2010. At least one year (or even two years, but this is not really certain). During the press conference, the Spanish Defense Minister, Carme Chacón, pointed out that " several countries have expressed their willingness to contribute by sea and air means to the reinforcement of Operation Atalanta beyond 2010 ". The official decision could be taken at the "Jumbo" Council (Foreign Affairs / Defence) in April. This would make planning easier.

New countries to judge pirates

Everyone agrees that this is where a major part of the problem lies today (9). In addition to the two agreements with Kenya and the Seychelles, the EU wants to put the package on three countries that would be likely to sign an agreement: Mauritius, Tanzania, South Africa. As for the idea of ​​a "regional court" (or rather a specialized section of a court devoted to piracy), it is gaining ground and its location would rather be located in Kenya, a partner country from day one for the judgment of the pirates, which in the Seychelles (10) confirmed to me by an expert in the case.

(1) Read: Spanish Presidency 2010: interesting priorities for defence…...
(2) Read: Phil Jones, Atalanta boss: "We have to review our tactics" (May 2009)
(3) Read: Operation Atalanta extended for 2 years? (February 2010)
(4) Read: Operation Atalanta... not effective enough for the Spaniards (November 2009)
(5) Read: The blocking of pirate ports (desired by the Spaniards): “bullshit”! (November 2009)
(6) Read: Blocking pirate ports: “We have already tried; it did not work ! »
(7) Read: Norwegians come under fire again near Somali coasts
(8) Read: The extension ofAtalanta formalized in December (November 2009)
(9) Read: Better bringing pirates to justice, reflection initiated at the COPS
(10) Read: The regional "anti-piracy" court in the Seychelles, the prison elsewhere !