Seychelles rejects ‘pirate smuggling’ statements
11.09.2009
Seychelles has rejected statements made recently by the authorities in the Puntland province that it has been involved in “smuggling” pirates into Somalia.
Twenty-three Somali nationals were repatriated to Somalia on Saturday September 5 by the government after courts in Seychelles had found there was not enough evidence to prosecute them on charges of piracy.
The 23 men had been arrested in international and territorial waters by various forces operating in the region and transferred to Seychelles for trial, the Office of the President said in a statement yesterday.
Once cleared by Seychelles’ courts, they were declared prohibited immigrants and kept in police custody for deportation from Seychelles.
The government had already been preparing for the repatriation of the three Seychellois hostages who had been cleared for release by pirates a week before, and it was decided to use the same aircraft into Garacad to repatriate the 23 Somalis.
The operation was in no way an exchange, as the 23 Somalis were from diverse groupings and had not been captured together, the statement stressed. The return of the Seychellois on the same plane was a means of reducing the cost of the overall operation – avoiding the need for two separate trips into Somalia.
The government has also said it has not paid any ransom to the pirates for the release of the three hostages.
“The Seychelles government has maintained an open channel of communication
with the pirate group holding our compatriots for the seven months since their capture, and has been actively engaged in negotiations for their release,” Minister Joel Morgan said.
“When we were informed that the pirates were willing to release them, we naturally undertook all the necessary measures to ensure their safe return. This did not, however, include the payment of any ransom by the government, which is completely contrary to our policy.”
Mr Morgan is the Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Transport and chairman of the High-Level Committee on Piracy.
He has further said that every endeavour was made to keep the Somali and Puntland authorities informed of the process of repatriation. It has been noted that communications may have been complicated by the fact that these authorities have had to move location regularly due to inherent instability in the country.
Mr Morgan has reassured the Puntland authorities that the Seychellois authorities had, throughout the process, followed the rule of law and established procedures. He has also said regular contact has been established with the government of Puntland, and the misunderstandings are being ironed out.
In a conversation with the chief of cabinet of Puntland state, Mr Morgan has been assured of the safety of the three Seychellois nationals, who are now being taken to the town of Garowe, where they will be handed over to an international organisation.
The chief of cabinet has said the Seychellois nationals will be released imminently.
“We thank the authorities of Puntland for ensuring that this matter is resolved in a manner in keeping with the principles of solidarity in the fight against piracy,” said Mr Morgan.
“We also recognise the active stance they are taking against piracy in Somalia, and we salute their resolve in this matter. Any matter involving pirates in this region is by nature a sensitive one.
“In Seychelles, we are committed to the fight against piracy, which is an
affliction that can only be addressed through a coordinated approach,” he added.