On Friday 10 October 2014, Somali Coast Guard has resumed operational duty station at the entrance of Mogadishu Sea Port. The force consists in four fast maneuverable port security boats, each with an eight active duty personnel crew.
The event represents an important success for the EU CMR program, the EUNAVFOR, the CGPCS and the international stakeholders, which participated in the training and the provision of equipment to (re) build the Somali coast guard organization. Such a capacity building is in deed the result of an intense collaboration between international stakeholders. Mr Maciej Popowski, Deputy Secretary General for the European External Action Service, congratulated the latter and encouraged the Somali authorities to continue their efforts.
On October 12 and 13, the Somali Coast Guard personnel and Task Force 508 counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD, joined for a training exercise on board of HDMS ESBERN SNARE. Commander Henrick Holck Rasmussen reminded “the dedication and willingness to learn I have seen these two days has been outstanding “. The officer also added: “ Through years of naval presence and cooperation, the international community has contained piracy in these waters. However, in the long run the best solution is for Somali authorities to be able to suppress the maritime crime themselves. Today we have taken an important step in that direction.”
The post Somali Coast Guard resumes duty after 23 years of absence appeared first on EU CMR.