A Spanish tuna boat attacked by pirates not far from Mayotte
(BRUSSELS2) Even if the monsoon is having its effect and pirates are going out less, at least in the Gulf of Aden, piracy continues this time further south. A Spanish tuna boat, the “Campolibre Alai” (1), was attacked on Tuesday morning, about 70 miles from the French island of Mayotte. The attack lasted half an hour, according to my Spanish colleagues. And the ship was only saved thanks to dodging maneuvers and, above all, it seems, to the presence of private guards on board who must have finally fired warning shots, before the pirates abandoned the pursuit, off the coast of Madagascar.
Mayotte, the Comoros and Madagascar concerned
This is, to my knowledge, the first incident of this kind so close to Mayotte and the Comoros archipelago. It demonstrates, in any case, the ability of pirates to adapt to circumstances and to seek out new “catchment” areas. It also shows the relevance of expanding the “Atalanta” zone towards the south as well and not only towards the east (read: Atalanta III will see its mission area extended a little further east). The (French) National Navy, which is heavily involved in piracy, sees a new front opening here.
The question of basing a ship in Mayotte could thus arise. Just as one could wonder if the court of Saint-Denis de la Réunion (criminal court) could not accommodate pirates intercepted by French forces or when a French interest is at stake (sailor, ship, etc.) and the France decides to exercise its right of pursuit.
Another attack in the southern zone, near Tanzania
Also on Tuesday, a tanker flying the Cypriot flag, the Nordneptun was the subject of a serious attack in the early morning by two Somali pirate skiffs, northeast of Zanzibar, Tanzania. Fortunately, the French frigate, the Nivôse (which is participating in the European anti-piracy operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta), is not far away. The Nivose is, in fact, approaching the port from Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), where he is to stop over, explains the General Staff of the Armed Forces. Upon receiving the distress call, he diverted and immediately launched his Panther helicopter to meet the ship which was then 58 miles away.
When he arrives in the area, he is “minus one”. The pirates are preparing to board and gain a foothold on the NorthNeptun. When the helicopter arrives, the ten or so pirates present pack up and, faithful to their tactics, separate. The helicopter tries to pursue them, fires warning shots. In vain, the pirates do not stop and mingle with the numerous fishermen in this area, off the island of Pemba (Tanzania), north of Zanzibar. The Tanzanian authorities were immediately warned by the sailors and Atalanta HQ of the possible presence of pirates in their waters.
Comment: the southern zone of Africa directly concerned
After Somalia, Yemen, Oman, Seychelles, Kenya... Tanzania is now primarily concerned by the actions of Somali pirates. And the question of signing a pirate transfer agreement therefore becomes even more relevant than ever (2). Negotiations between the EU and the Tanzanian government could be concluded relatively quickly, according to the information I have gathered. The High Representative, Catherine Ashton, hopes to be able to validate the transfer agreement by September-October.
This attack also shows that the options taken by several companies to avoid the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aden and to bypass Africa via the southern route (South Africa, Cape of Good Hope) is only one option. precarious and temporary. It should perhaps also encourage South Africa, for the moment very reluctant to engage in the fight against piracy – whether at the financial, operational or judicial level – to be a little more reactive and solidarity with its African neighbors.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
(1) This fishing vessel belongs to the same shipowner (Echebastar Fleet) as the Alakrana (captured by pirates in September 2009. It had already been the subject of an attack last year.
