Seychelles positions itself as anti-piracy command

Crew from HMS RICHMOND provide technical assistance to Seychelles Coastguard - Source: EUNAVFOR

Seychelles has been one of the international community’s preferred partners in the fight against piracy. There is productive, on-going cooperation between the country and, amongst others, INTERPOL, EUNAVFOR, UNODC. Likewise, in March 2010, Seychelles National Assembly amended its penal code to re-define piracy in line with the definition in the 1982 LOS Convention which Seychelles ratified in 1991.

In a recent interview, President James Michel highlighted some new initiatives of his government. He noted that, “Seychelles [is] becoming the anti-piracy hub for our international allies, who are committed to the fight against piracy.” In addition, President James Michel emphasized the need to focus police and prosecutorial resources on the financiers of piracy, “Piracy has developed into a lucrative business model and therefore more emphasis needs to be made to target the financiers of piracy, to eliminate the criminal networks and bring to justice the main profiteers of this business.” Therefore, he stated:

We are in the process of setting up a Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecution and Intelligence Centre, with the support of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the UK and its Serious Organised Crime Agency, that will coordinate the tracking of financial transactions and enforcement operations. This will, in turn, assist law enforcement agencies to build cases needed to issue international arrest warrants and prosecute the financiers of piracy.

However, he noted certain constraints on Seychelles’ ability to continue such projects.

We are committed to coordinating international efforts and seek greater participation by all countries in terms of assets, resources and to highlight the adverse effects for small island states such as Seychelles. We have also been at the forefront of prosecuting pirates by framing new anti-piracy laws and formulating partnerships with Somali authorities for the transfer of convicted pirates. We have taken these initiatives despite the tremendous strain on our limited resources.

Main Prison at Bosaso, Puntland - Source: SomaliaReport.com

For example, he explains that 12 % of the prison population in Seychelles is made up of Somali Pirates (although it is noted elsewhere that this consists of 76 prisoners). In addition, his government signed a prisoner transfer agreement with Puntland in early 2011. However, the transfer agreement will likely only take effect upon the completion of new UN-funded prisons in Puntland. This must explain in part the recent decision to refuse the transfer of 24 suspected Somali pirates from the Danish Navy. With Kenya still reticent to recommence prosecutions, and other regional states only taking on a handful of Somali pirates, there will be significant pressure for the Seychelles to pick up the slack and take on significantly more cases. Although Seychelles continues to be one of very few willing regional partners in East Africa and the Indian Ocean, its assistance is necessarily contingent upon continuing financial and other assistance from international powers.