Joint Anti-Piracy Pact

Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on maritime security, in a move designed to enhance collective efforts in fighting piracy, drug trafficking and other criminal activities in the Indian Ocean.

Tanzania: Country Signs Joint Anti-Piracy Pact

BY LUDOVICK KAZOKA

TANZANIA, Mozambique and South Africa on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on maritime security, in a move designed to enhance collective efforts in fighting piracy, drug trafficking and other criminal activities in the Indian Ocean.

President Jakaya Kikwete said piracy was adversely affecting the country’s trade and economic growth, pointing out some ships had decided to take longer routes to arrive at Tanzanian ports to avoid pirates. “The scourge has caused adverse impacts to our economy as costs of freight and insurance premiums have tremendously gone up due to piracy,” said the President at the signing ceremony at the State House in Dar es Salaam.

Mr Kikwete said the MoU would help the three countries deal with piracy in the Indian Ocean, stressing that combating piracy needed collective approach. “I promise that I will do everything I can to assist the army to carry out its duty efficiently to combat the scourge,” President Kikwete, who is…….[access full article]