Security Council urges cooperation with Somalia to combat piracy

The UN Security Council encouraged member states to continue to cooperate with Somali authorities in the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea.

In a unanimously adopted resolution on Wednesday, the 15-nation council decided to renew the authorisation granted to countries and regional organisations to cooperate with Somalia for another 12 months, Xinhua news agency reported.

"While deploring all acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea in Somalia, the council recognizes that piracy exacerbates instability in Somalia by introducing large amounts of illicit cash that fuels additional crime and corruption," said the resolution.

It added that the council "urges all states to take appropriate actions under their existing domestic law to prevent the illicit financing of acts of piracy and the laundering of its proceeds".

According to a UN report, pirate activity in Somalia and the complex linkage between piracy and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing continues to be of concern.

--IANS

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