Sierra Leone says it’s working with neighboring international locations to step up the battle towards piracy within the Gulf of Guinea after a Chinese language fishing vessel was hijacked in its waters earlier this week
ByKEMO CHAM Related Press
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — Sierra Leone mentioned Thursday it’s working with neighboring international locations to step up the battle towards piracy within the Gulf of Guinea after a Chinese language fishing vessel was hijacked in its waters earlier this week.
The world off the coast of West Africa is among the world’s most harmful locations for assaults on ships.
Twenty-three crew members on board Shenghai-2, together with six Chinese language nationals, had been rescued a day after the hijacking on Sunday. The ship was crusing with one other fishing vessel, Aliman, when each got here below assault by closely armed pirates, Sierra Leone’s Navy Chief Commodore Philip Juana advised The Related Press.
Aliman evaded seizure whereas the attackers sailed the hijacked vessel towards neighboring Liberia. The next day, the ship was freed and among the pirates had been caught by Liberian forces, Juana mentioned.
“We’re taking a look at the way to curb the menace within the area,” he added. Sierra Leone officers will have interaction with counterparts in Liberia on future “operational technique” towards piracy, he added.
In June final 12 months, the United Nations Safety Council unanimously adopted a decision condemning piracy, armed theft and hostage-taking within the Gulf of Guinea. The world has recorded at the least three pirate assaults in latest months, together with in April, when pirates focused a Chinese language-run oil tanker.
In Liberia, the Ministry of Nationwide Protection mentioned in an earlier assertion the rescue effort lasted for greater than 24 hours and ended on Monday. It included a coordinated operation that additionally concerned the neighboring Cote d’Ivoire.
Two pirates had been arrested whereas some weapons had been recovered, the ministry mentioned. An unspecified variety of different pirates who had been concerned within the assault has evaded arrest.
Juana, the navy chief, mentioned Sierra Leone and Liberia are investigating the hijacking.