Fight against maritime piracy: A UN mission in Gabon from 20 to 22 November 2011

UNOCA/Libreville (Gabon) – 17 November 2011.The assessment mission on piracy in the Gulf of Guinea decided by the UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon visits Gabon's' capital, Libreville from 20 to 22 November 2011.

A working session will be held with the representatives of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and every other stakeholder in the fight against sea piracy. This will include the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), located in a geographical area that covers four countries affected by this worrying phenomenon (Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe).

The delegation will meet the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and head of UNOCA, Mr. Abou Moussa, who would already be back from New-York where he presented on 14 November the first report of the institution's activities.

UNOCA also actively participates in this mission, following a request from Benin President, Yayi Boni. It started last week in Benin, before heading to Nigeria where it exchanged with heads of the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) and some authorities of the country.

After Gabon, the UN experts will visit Angola, headquarters of the Gulf of Guinea Commission where they will end their mission on 24 November. They must compile a report and make recommendations on ways forward to end maritime piracy, of which the impact on the economy and security of the affected countries is hopeless.

The Mission is led by Mrs Mariam Sissoko, Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Nigeria, and by Mr Sammy Kum Buo, Director of the Africa Division II of the Department of Political Affairs of the UN (DPA). It includes representatives of the Department of the UN Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), and for Western Africa (UNOWA).

Contact press: Norbert N. Ouendji – Public Information Officer/ ouendji@un.org / + 241 04 62 04 16.

ABOUT UNOCA: Inaugurated in March 2011, the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) based in Libreville (Gabon), is responsible, among others things to, help the countries of the sub-region in the area of conflicts prevention and the implementation of mechanisms for joint management of potential crisis. It accompanies sub-regional institutions, including ECCAS, its main partner, in building capacity for warning and mediation. UNOCA provides assistance in the organization of free and peaceful elections, the promotion of cooperation with UN Agencies, Funds and programs in the sub-region in the strengthening of good governance, the respect of Human rights, the fight against transnational organized crime and trafficking of small arms. The institutions cover ten countries among which: Angola Burundi, Cameroun, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome& Principe, Chad.