Somalia: EU Anti-Piracy Mission Opens Base in Mogadishu

The European Union's anti-piracy mission, EUCAP Nestor, opened a permanent operational base at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu Monday (November 24th).
The mission's deployment in Mogadishu is expected to enhance its ability to support maritime security systems in Somalia and in the Horn of Africa.

Piracy has dropped considerably in Horn of Africa waters since 2011, but there is still a need for vigilance in Somalia, and for strengthening existing laws and legal frameworks for maritime security, said head of EUCAP Nestor mission Etienne de Poncins.

"Pirates are still out there. They remain ashore ready to act at any opportunity," he said. "Our objective is to strengthen the action on the ground in order to help Somali authorities to identify them and dismantle their structures."
EUCAP Nestor also has a fully-operational office in Hargeisa.
In July, the Council of the European Union voted to extend EUCAP Nestor's mandate through December 2016.