The European Union has enlarged the area of operations of its Navfor fleet into the Indian Ocean in response to the growing number of pirate attacks far off the coast of Somalia.
A new version of the EU’s military mandate states forces “shall operate off the coast of Somalia and neighbouring countries in the maritime areas with the region of the Indian Ocean”. The reference to the Indian Ocean has been inserted for the first time.
The exact longitudes and latitudes of the updated area of operations have not been given as they would be of use to pirates. It is understood, however, that the area has been extended eastwards and southwards in what a source called a “tidying-up exercise”.
The new mandate makes reference to pirates “extending their activities into maritime areas more than 500 miles off the coast of Somalia”. In reality, attacks up to 1,000 miles offshore are not uncommon, with one reported attack 1,300 miles offshore.
EU navies believe the tendency for long-distance attacks is the result of “piracy being more and more effectively prevented in the Gulf of Aden and other areas near to the Somali coast”.
The mandate has also been amended to reflect the new role of Catherine Ashton, the EU’s High Representative, who has taken on the lead role for piracy.
Mrs Ashton is now the “primary point of contact with the United Nations, the Somali authorities, the authorities of neighbouring countries, and other relevant actors”. She controls the flow of classified information between governments and international institutions.
Mrs Ashton, whose role as effective EU foreign minister was created by the Lisbon Treaty, has on recent trips been pressing governments in Asia to participate in the international anti-piracy operation