Tripartite Maritime Security/Anti-Piracy Pact Signed by African Countries

A new multilateral pact has been signed by the governments of Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa in an effort to reinforce maritime security in the Indian Ocean and battle piracy.

The agreement was signed by each country’s respective Defense ministers and was witnessed by President Jakaya Kikwete. The President has also promised to assist the Defense Forces by taking part in the joint effort course. The measures taken to secure sea safety are important in this region, as about 90 percent of their trade uses the ocean route. Many believe that maritime piracy is only restricted to the Horn of Africa, but it has become an occurring problem to the Indian Ocean’s southern areas. The problem has begun to affect many of the African countries’ economies.

Defense and National Service Minister, Dr. Hussein Mwinyi, stated the goal for this cooperation is to strengthen the armed forces of the three countries in order to carry out the war on piracy. This will include joint military exercises, information sharing, and surveillance conducting. Tanzania, alone, was able to cut their pirate attacks in more than half from 2010 to 2011 with security interventions. However, no country can address these issues alone.

Piracy is a threat to the economy of the regional countries as it has resulted into increased transport costs, hiked fuel prices, bigger insurance bills, among others, according to government officials. This agreement will provide a common platform to prevent the situation from worsening.

Protection is the pact’s unanimous goal. These three countries have come very far in their relationship as well.