conducted the first DPLD action against pirate European Union Naval Force logistic supplies on 15 May 2012.

(EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation ATALANTA

Under UNSC mandate, EU NAVFOR – Operation ATALANTA conducts:

 the protection of vessels of the World Food Programme (WFP) delivering aid to displaced persons in Somalia; the protection of African Union Mission on Somalia (AMISOM) shipping;  the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast;  the protection of vulnerable shipping off the Somali coast on a case by case basis; The European Union is concerned with the  In addition, EU NAVFOR - impact of piracy and armed robbery at sea off ATALANTA shall also contribute to the the coast of Somalia on international trade and monitoring of fishing activities off the maritime security and on the economic activities coast of Somalia. and security of countries in the region.

As a result and as part of a comprehensive approach to Somalia, in December 2008 the EU launched European Union Naval Force Somalia – Operation ATALANTA (EU NAVFOR – ATALANTA) within the framework of the European Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) and International Law.

On 23 March 2012 the Council of the EU extended the counter-piracy operation until December 2014. At the same time the Council also extended Op ATALANTA’s area of operations to include Somali coastal territory and internal waters. The extension of the areas allowed, for the first time, EU NAVFOR to take disruptive action - known as Disruption of Pirate Logistic Dumps (DPLD) against pirate supplies on the Somali coast in order to deny pirates impunity on the shoreline. EU Naval Forces

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Contributing countries Op ATALANTA political control and strategic direction Participation in EU NAVFOR - ATALANTA goes beyond EU Member States. Norway was Political Control and Strategic Direction the first non-EU country to contribute to the Operation with one warship in 2009. The Political and Security Committee (PSC) Furthermore, Croatia and Ukraine have provided exercises the political control and strategic staff officers to the Operation Headquarters direction of the EU military operation, under the (OHQ). Additionally, offers from Montenegro responsibility of the Council of the European and Serbia to contribute have been accepted and Union. The Operation Commander reports a Participation Agreement has been concluded to directly to the PSC. this effect, allowing the contribution of maritime officers. The European Union Military Committee Means of contributing to EU NAVFOR: (EUMC) monitors the proper execution of the operation conducted under the responsibility of  Navy vessels (surface combat vessels and the Operation Commander. The chairman of the auxiliary ships), EUMC acts as the primary point of contact with  Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance the EU Operation Commander. Aircraft (MPRA), Advising Body  Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) teams.  Providing military staff to work at the The European Union Military Staff (EUMS) is EU NAVFOR OHQ in Northwood, UK, a part of the European External Action Service or onboard units. and provides in-house military expertise for the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Additionally, a considerable international military maritime presence is now in the area, Affairs and Security Policy (HR) and performs comprising the Combined Maritime Forces early warning; strategic planning; and situation (CMF), NATO and also independent national assessment in support of Operation units such as China, India, Japan, Russia, ATALANTA. Taiwan and others – all committed to Counter Piracy (CP) but to some extend with varying Operation Commander: mandates and mission objectives. The Operation Commander commands the EU NAVFOR - ATALANTA has permanent operation from the Operational Headquarters liaison with these forces to deconflict and (OHQ) at Northwood, United Kingdom. There coordinate their operations in time and space in the area of operation. he plans and conducts the operation in conjunction with the political and military authorities of the European Union. Force Commander: The Force Commander is exercising command and control of all military forces in the Operation Area. He is responsible for planning, orchestration and execution of military activities.

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Financing Europe mainland. The entire region needs to be considered as High Risk Area. The funding of EU NAVFOR - ATALANTA amounted to EUR 8.4 million in 2010 and EUR 8.05 million in 2011. A budget of EUR 14.9 Legal basis million is provided for the common costs of the EU NAVFOR - ATALANTA is based on prolonged mandate until December 2014. decisions by the Council of the EU in This budget is shared - via the Athena accordance with relevant UN Security Council Mechanism - between the EU Member States, Resolutions (UNSCR) and international law. based on their GDP, and covers the financing of In the Area of Operation, EU NAVFOR units common costs, such as costs for the Operational can arrest, detain and transfer persons suspected Headquarters (Northwood – UK) and the Force of intending to commit, committing or having Headquarters (onboard the Flagship), as well as committed acts of piracy or armed robbery. medical services and transport. EU NAVFOR assets can seize vessels of the Costs of supplying military assets and personnel pirates or armed robbers, vessels captured by are shared by the contributing states according to an act of piracy or armed robbery, and such their involvement in the operation, with each vessels which are in the hands of the pirates or state bearing the cost of the resources it deploys. armed robbers, as well as the property on board. Area of Operation The suspects can be prosecuted by an EU member state, by regional states or any other third states which wish to exercise its The European Naval force operates in an Area jurisdiction over the suspected pirates or armed of Operations covering the southern Red Sea, robbers and seized property. Suspected persons the Gulf of Aden and a large part of the Indian may not be transferred to a third State unless Ocean, including the Seychelles. The Area of conditions relevant to international law, notably Operation also includes the Somali coastal international law on human rights are met. In territory as well as its territorial and internal particular, no one shall be subjected to the death waters. This represents an area of 2,000,000 penalty, to torture or to any cruel, inhuman or square nautical miles (almost 4,000,000 square degrading treatment. kilometres). This is an area 1.5 times the size of

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Achievements

Since the launch of the operation As a result of its close cooperation with regional EU NAVFOR - ATALANTA governments such as those of Kenya and The Republic of the Seychelles, suspected pirates  Has had a 100% success rate providing captured by the EU NAVFOR have been escorts to WFP vessels delivering food to transferred to competent authorities with a view the Somali people. to their prosecution and conviction.  Has also provided protection to AMISOM shipments, which are critical to the success of the AU operation in Somalia.  Has also ensured the protection of other vulnerable shipping within the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) and the High Risk Area.

Protecting WFP shipping

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World Food Programme centres, WFP provides specialised nutritional food products to treat and prevent malnutrition. In some programmes a family ration is included The Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit as there is a likelihood of other family members (FSNAU) for Somalia and the Famine Early also being malnourished. The nutrition Warning System Network (FEWS NET) programmes, together with the family ration carefully monitors famine conditions. More initiative, now make up 63 per cent of WFP’s than 2.3 million people remain in crisis programmes in Somalia. throughout the country, and any gains made in food security and nutrition must be considered Escorted by EU NAVFOR Operation fragile as communities are recovering from ATALANTA assets, WFP has delivered over many seasons of failed rains and subsequent 916.716 metric tons of food and aid goods such drought. Meanwhile, insecurity and conflict as tents and blankets into Somalia through continue to contribute to poor household food Mogadishu, Merka, Bossaso and Berbera. Under security and high malnutrition rates. EU NAVFOR protection not a single WFP vessel has been attacked by pirates. While still assisting populations in crisis, WFP will continue to move away from general food “WFP remains extremely grateful to the EU for distributions to more targeted means of committing itself to escorting ships carrying assistance. One critical focus is on nutrition WFP food, and giving us the long term programmes that support the most vulnerable protection that our shipments need, especially in elements of the population, namely women and view of the increasing need for assistance.” children. Through supplementary food (WFP Public Affairs Office East Africa) programmes and, where possible, through health

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A Comprehensive European Approach:

EU NAVFOR - ATALANTA is part of the EU The EU runs a wide range of programmes Comprehensive Approach in the Horn of Africa. related to the prosecution, trial and detention of piracy suspects. The political objectives of the EU are to prevent and deter pirates from interrupting global The EU is cooperating to end impunity and maritime trade but also to contribute to a therefore is assisting UNDP and UNODC in sustainable and long-term solution to piracy their work to establish sufficient conditions to through building-up the capacity of the states in allow fair and efficient piracy trials in Somalia. the region, including Somalia, to take ownership The EU has additionally signed transfer of the fight against piracy. agreements with countries in the region – the The EU actively works towards improving Seychelles (2009), Mauritius (2011) – and is security on the ground in Somalia through the negotiating another one with Tanzania. empowerment of Somali capacities with the EU Transfers to Kenya are possible on a case by Training Mission (EUTM Somalia) which case basis. trains Somali soldiers in Uganda to contribute to In December 2011, Mr. Alexander Rondos was strengthening the Transitional Federal appointed EU Special Representative (SR) to Government (TFG) and the institutions of the Horn of Africa in order to best coordinate Somalia. them, thus supporting regional and international In addition, the EU offers substantial financial efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and and technical support to the African Union's development. Initially, the SR focuses on military mission to Somalia (AMISOM). Somalia and the regional dimensions of the Additional EU funding of €67 million for costs conflict there, as well as on piracy, which has its (mission allowances, medical care, root causes in the instability of Somalia. accommodation, fuel, and communication The European Union adopted on 14 November equipment) brings the EU contribution to 2011 a "Strategic Framework for the Horn of AMISOM to a total of €325 million since 2007. Africa" to guide the EU's engagement in the AMISOM supports dialogue and reconciliation region (Council Conclusions on the Horn of and provides protection to key infrastructures Africa, 16858/11, 14 November 2011). (e.g. government buildings and the Mogadishu International Airport) to enable the Transitional Further Assistance to Somalia (not Federal Government and Institutions to carry out exhaustive): their functions. Development aid from the European The new EU civilian EUCAP Nestor mission Commission (10th EDF 2008-2013 - reviewed) aims to build the regional maritime capacity in  €412 million (€212 million EDF + €175 the Horn of Africa. It is helping to develop the million after review + €25 million civilian coastal policing capacity in Somalia and Millenium Development Goals) strengthen the coastguard function in Djibouti, Kenya, the Seychelles and Tanzania. It Focal Sectors: reinforces those countries’ ability to fight piracy  Governance: €60 million + €53 million and face other challenges such as illegal fishing  Education: € 55 million + €30 million and trafficking. The EU supports other  Economic Development: €55 million + €80 programmes such as the Regional Maritime million Security Programme (MASE) that tackles piracy on land, the Critical Maritimes Routes Humanitarian aid from the European Programme that reinforces maritime governance Commission for Somalia (ECHO) since 2005 and the MARSIC Programme that enhances  €280 million since 2005 for Somalia information sharing.

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With up to 95% of EU member states’ trade (by volume) transported by sea and 20% of global trade passing through the Gulf of Aden, EU NAVFOR gives considerable effort to safeguarding trade through this strategic area.

The Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) is an initiative established by EU NAVFOR with close co-operation from industry. The MSC-HOA provides 24 hour manned monitoring of vessels transiting through the Gulf of Aden, whilst the provision of an interactive website enables the Centre to communicate the latest anti-piracy guidance to industry, and for shipping companies and operators to register their vessel movements through the region.

A further initiative is the introduction of group transits where vessels are co-ordinated to transit through high risk areas overnight when attacks are less likely. This enables military forces to “sanitise” the area ahead of the merchant ships. MSC-HOA will also identify particularly vulnerable shipping and co- ordinate appropriate protection arrangements, either from within EU NAVFOR, or other forces in the region.

Finally in between routine or baseline operations, EU NAVFOR conducts focussed operations aimed at achieving specific effects within a given area or time window. By concentrating forces to achieve specific effects EU NAVFOR can provide influence, deterrence or insight into legitimate and illicit activities in order to better co-ordinate future activities to deter piracy and armed robbery and thus re- assure legitimate merchant mariners.

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Operation Commander EU Naval Force Rear Admiral Duncan L. Potts

Deputy Operation Commander EU Naval Force Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi

Force Commander EU Naval Force Rear Admiral Jean-Baptiste Dupuis

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UPDATED FACTS & FIGURES:

(Since start of Operation ATALANTA December 2008)

Number of WFP ships safely escorted by EU NAVFOR: 161

Metric tons of food delivered by WFP ships to Somalia: 933 837

Number of AMISOM ships safely escorted: 127

Number of pirates transferred and remanded: 60

Number of pirates transferred and convicted: 68

Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total No. of pirate attacks1 163 174 176 33 No. of successfully attacked / pirated 46 47 25 5 ships2 Disruptions by EUNAVFOR3 14 65 28 11

The total number of currently held vessels4 7

The total number of currently held hostages5 178

The composition of EU NAVFOR changes constantly due to the frequent rotation of units and varies according to the Monsoon seasons in the Indian Ocean. However, it typically comprises 4 - 7 Surface Combat Vessels and 2 - 3 Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft.

The Force Headquarters flagship rotates on a four monthly basis.

For the names and nationalities of EU Naval Force warships as well as the CVs of the Senior Commanders please contact the Media and Public Information Office or refer to www.eunavfor.eu.

1 An event where suspected pirates have located and closed on a vessel in a positive attempt to gain control of it (number includes successful piratings). 2 Pirated: A ship successfully boarded by pirates who subsequently take full control of propulsion and steerage. 3 Disruptions: An action that renders a pirate group incapable of further pirate operations. 4 Plus an unknown number of unconfirmed Dhows and smaller vessels 5 estimated Page 10 of 11

Contact details

Address European Union Naval Force Media and Public Information Office European Union Operation HQ Northwood Headquarters Sandy Lane-Northwood Middlesex-HA6 3HP

Media Centre Tel: +44 (0) 1923 9 58611 Mobile: +44 (0) 7762 784746 E- Mail: [email protected]

More information on www.eunavfor.eu www.mschoa.org www.consilium.europa.eu/esdp www.consilium.europa.eu/eunavfor-somalia

Source of Pictures Press Office European Union Council Secretariat Media and Public Information Office EU NAVFOR ATALANTA

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