On the evening of 9 March the President, His Excellency Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and his delegation were greeted by Rear Admiral Peter Hudson CBE, Operational Commander of EU NAVFOR – Operation ATALANTA.
The delegation was given a tour of the new offices occupied by the Operational Headquarters within the purpose built Multi National Headquarters. In addition to receiving a briefing on the operation the delegation visited the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) which houses the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA).
His Excellency Sharif Sheikh Ahmed had the opportunity to meet several of the international staff from EU member states and Merchant Navy representatives.
Following the briefings a reception was held where Rear Admiral Peter Hudson presented the President with a gift of a framed photo of the Spanish warship ESPS NAVARRA escorting a World Food Program (WFP) Ship to Somalia.
The President appeared impressed with the Operational Headquarters and the professionalism of the European multinational anti piracy team and recognised the “extensive efforts” of the international community off the coast of Somalia. He went on to say that a “permanent solution must be found” to resolve the issue of piracy.
EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt -piracy. EU NAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.
The delegation was given a tour of the new offices occupied by the Operational Headquarters within the purpose built Multi National Headquarters. In addition to receiving a briefing on the operation the delegation visited the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) which houses the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA).
His Excellency Sharif Sheikh Ahmed had the opportunity to meet several of the international staff from EU member states and Merchant Navy representatives.
Following the briefings a reception was held where Rear Admiral Peter Hudson presented the President with a gift of a framed photo of the Spanish warship ESPS NAVARRA escorting a World Food Program (WFP) Ship to Somalia.
The President appeared impressed with the Operational Headquarters and the professionalism of the European multinational anti piracy team and recognised the “extensive efforts” of the international community off the coast of Somalia. He went on to say that a “permanent solution must be found” to resolve the issue of piracy.
EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt -piracy. EU NAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.