New York, 9 November 2011 - In response to a request from President Boni Yayi of Benin to the Secretary-General for support in combating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, the Secretary-General has deployed an assessment mission to the region, which is being co-led by Mr. Sammy Kum Buo, Director of Africa II Division, Department of Political Affairs, and Ms. Mariam Sissoko, Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Nigeria.
The mission, which is comprised of representatives from the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Regional Office in Central Africa (UNOCA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA), will assess the scope of the piracy threat in the region and make recommendations for possible UN support in addressing the threat.
The mission will visit Cotonou, Benin, from 7 to 16 November, Abuja, Nigeria, from 17 to 19 November, Libreville, Gabon, from 20 to 21 November and Luanda, Angola, from 22 to 24 November, to meet with representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Gulf of Guinea Commission, respectively. The mission will also meet with Government officials and relevant national counterparts.
The Security Council will be briefed on the findings and recommendations of the assessment mission.