Newsletter December 2022

2022, a challenging year; 2023 a promising horizon.

2022 started with the uncertainty about the consequences of the non-renewal of UNSCR 2608 (2021), ultimately, legal basis that allowed the Operation to access Somali territorial waters and air-space in order to perform the duties entrusted in our mandate. Once more, in a recurrent dynamic that has become one of Atalanta’s most outstanding identity traits during these more than 14 years, the Operation faced the scenario of adapting to a new reality. Immediately, without losing our distinctiveness as anti-piracy operation, Atalanta took the first steps to become a comprehensive maritime security provider in the North-Western Indian Ocean, transcending our Area of Operations. The valuable assistance of the EEAS and the PSC allowed in February 2022 the activation of our secondary executive task of “contributing to countering narcotic and drugs trafficking off the coast of Somalia”. We cannot be more satisfied with the immediate results that led to 8 interceptions in the lapse of a few days, taking from the criminal networks up to 12,7 tonnes of narcotics worth over 250 million Euro in street value. The road to the consolidation of this potential knew decisive steps in the course of the negotiations of the EEAS with the Republic of Seychelles in order to extend the consequences of the transfer agreement on piracy to the suspects of weapons and drugs trafficking. This extended Legal Finish has been called to become the cornerstone of the deterrent effect of Atalanta’s actions as maritime security provider. I cannot conceal my gratitude to the EEAS and each country member of the PSC for their continuous support, acknowledging the relevance of Atalanta in the future political lines of action that define the European presence in the area. The Strategic Review of the Operation or the very Concept of Coordinated Maritime Presences after the definition of a Maritime Area of Interest in the Western Indian Ocean reinforce this perspective of the Operation as comprehensive tool of naval diplomacy for the EU. Atalanta’s mandate has been renewed for two additional years just a few days ago. We unconditionally support the perspective that approaches Somalia under the new Government as an entrusted partner in the endeavour of establishing the country, and contribute to the creation of a regional maritime security architecture. Nevertheless, this gigantic task does not come without additional constraints. An enlarged area of operations; new enhanced responsibilities in the domains of IUU fishing or capacity building; the challenges posed by the explosive situation in the region, aggravated by the undesirable outcomes of the Russian invasion of Ukraine… arrive in a moment, when the continous engagement of our members states becomes more necessary than ever. After more than 10 years of excellent performance, our air element, the Orion P-3M based in Djibouti, , reached the end of its service life without an immediate alternative of similar capabilities; Atalanta is still operating outside of Somali territorial waters, and despite the unwavering engagement of the AVPD contributing countries, their units remain in stand-by, waiting for a political solution; the High Risk Area will be officially eliminated from 31^st December... Despite these constraints, there are lights on the horizon, such as the openess of the current Somali Government, expressed on the occasion of the visit of the HR/VP José Borrel to Mogadishu, or the enhanced approach in the relations between Atalanta and EMASOH-AGENOR… Be it as it is, the men and women of Atalanta will remain up to the task hoisting the flag of the engagement of the EU in favour of peace and security in the area.

On the occasion of the OPCDR visit to Djibouti for the HOTO of the FCDR, on 1^st December VA Nunez visited Major General Shawley (CJTF HOA Commander) to deepen the cooperation with US Forces in place. On 2^nd December the OPCDR awarded Colonel Scotto di Santolo (CDR Italian Base Militare di Supporto) with the ATALANTA CSDP Medal to for the extraordinary support provided to the Operation.

On 2^nd December, the Operation Commander chaired the Change of Command ceremony at the Force Headquarters on board Atalanta’s flagship ESPS “Santa María” at Djibouti Port. The 41^st Rotation, led by Commodore Rui Miguel Marcelo Correia, completed a successful deployment, being replaced by his fellow countryman Commodore Nuno Filipe Cortes Lopes. Admiral Núñez Torrente had praising words for the command and crew of ESPS “Numancia” that extended its stay in the area to comply with Operation’s requirements. The commitment of the Portuguese Government towards the Operation remains unwavering and it is at the base of our success.

On 15^th December, the future Career Diplomats of the Kingdom of Spain that are performing their selective course at the Spanish Diplomatic School, visited the ES-OHQ in Rota. Atalanta’s Chief of Staff welcomed the Under Director of the Diplomatic School and 35 candidates, who attended a presentation on EUNAVFOR’s mandate, followed by a guided tour.

On 2^nd December, ESPS “Santa María” took part in exercise “Bullshark” along with US CJTF HOA, the FFDJ (French Forces in Djibouti), and the Djibouti Coast Guard. The Spanish Special Operations Maritime Task Unit performed a “Personnel Recovery” drill in Djibouti territorial waters and inland. This kind of exercises assure the complementarity of efforts with the main maritime security actors in the area and have become one of the distinctive traits of Atalanta’s coordination with strategic actors.

Despite the current constraints that keep Atalanta from performing its mandate within the limits of the 12 nautical miles that mark Somali territorial waters, Atalanta has not ceased its engagement providing protection to the vital deliveries of the World Food Program. Even, if it is not through the presence of Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachments on board of these ships. Atalanta continues monitoring their safe transits and providing protection by way of direct escort and associated support escorts. Precisely, in this scenario, the ESPS “Santa María” provided its first escort on 5^th December to a WFP vessel, the MV “Zehrah1”. Never, on Atalanta’s watch, a delivery of the WFP to the populations in need has been compromised.

On 9^th December, Atalanta conducted a Joint Sea Activity, supporting UNODC’s Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) and Somali Fisheries Enforcement officers, as part of UNODC organised training activity “Sea Spirit” in support of UNSCR 2662/2022. The training took place near the coast of Seychelles and aimed at strengthening the procedures of the Somali officers in Fisheries Enforcement in their EEZ.

The activity involved the deployment of the Atalanta Flagship ESPS “Santa María”, with a helicopter AB212 and a SCAN EAGLE UAV, the ship THETIS SUPPORTER (simulating a Somali Fisheries Protection vessel), the mentors of UNODC, the Somali embarked force (of Fishery Inspectors and Maritime Police boarding party), and the monitoring of the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC).

This collaboration has been an excellent opportunity to reinforce the existing links with the RCOC in Seychelles and act as a maritime security provider. Furthermore, building and developing regional maritime capability is one of Operation Atalanta’s main objectives. By sharing our expertise, the collaboration promotes lasting regional maritime solutions, which will help to build a Maritime Security Architecture throughout the region. IORIS was the information sharing platform used between the RCOC in Seychelles and the ESPS “Santa María”, providing a unique key tool for coordination and information sharing.

From 8^th to14^th December, a SPDF-EUNAVFOR-UNODC Advanced Training “ALDABRA” took place within the framework of Local Capacity Enhancement with the Seychelles Defence Forces. It consisted of Communication training, Visit Boarding Search and Seizure (VBSS) Seminar, Air planning and execution Seminar and Legal finish seminar.

On 9^th and 10^th December taking advantage of the port visit of ESPS “Santa María”, the VBSS Seminar, aimed to increase interoperability between the Special Operations Maritime Task Unit and the Seychellois TAZAR Special Force Unit took place.

On 11^th and 12^th December, the communication training took place in the premises of the RCOC for 8-10 people. The same days Atalanta carried out a two day seminar, including expertise in air operations and procedures, such as Flight Safety, Search and Rescue and Operations Security training for Air Force.

Finally, on 14^th December, the Legal Seminar took place with the aim to increase the legal capabilities of Seychellois forces. The Prosecution Pathway Exercise included, after the simulated capture of detainees (drugs, piracy, ...) a legal exercise, in which representatives of the Prosecutor's Office, the Supreme Court, the Judicial Police and the International Legal Assistance Unit.

The Legal Advisors gave them a briefing on the legal bases of the operation and, in which, with the help of UNODC, a mock trial was set up, reproducing all the phases of the trial, and stressing the importance of proving the guilt of the accused with sufficient evidence.

Advanced training “Aldabra” was framed in the renewed mandate approach that stresses the importance of capacity building activities with regional countries, focusing on the construction of a regional maritime security structure.

Among other, high level engagements, such as the High Commissioner of India and the Deputy High Commissioner of the UK in Seychelles, during the same port stopover, the Force Commander, Commodore Nuno Filipe Cortes Lopes, paid respectively two visits to the Regional Coordination Operation Centre in Seychelles and the Seychellois Coast Guard, with the purpose of enhancing the excellent mutual understanding with such a strategic partners for the Operation. Seychelles remains a strategic partner of the Operation, not only in security practical terms, but also as cornerstone for the development of Atalanta’s extended Legal Finish, aiming to include drugs and weapons trafficking under the same deterrent scheme of the crime of piracy.

From 16^th to 18^th December, a new combined Operation with the Seychellois Defence Forces took place (Operation Levante). Santa Maria, Seychelles Dornier and RCOC carried out a Maritime Security Operation in designated areas to cope with illegal activities.

On 19^th December, ESPS “Santa María” conducted a Local Maritime Capacity Building activity outside Somali territorial waters. The activity was centred in providing support to EUCAP-Somalia on a three days drill carried out with Somali Police Force and Maritime Police Unit and Coastguard. The training consisted on basic navigation procedures on paper chart, use of radar, communications training, boarding search and seizure procedures and first aid. Remarkably, for the first time, the Somali Police Force and Maritime Police Unit and Coastguard made a transit with two boats over 12 nautical miles in order to embark/disembark their personnel on board ESPS “Santa María”.

By sharing our expertise, Operation Atalanta is committed in supporting Somalia with capacity enhancing activities, even outside territorial waters, which constitute a big step to reinforce Somalia’s trust in Operation Atalanta after the end of the authorization to enter its territorial waters.

Besides the Force Command flagship, Spanish frigate ESPS “Santa Maria”(left), FS Aconit (right) temporarily reinforced the Operation in Associated Support. The Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment is on stand-by readiness in its home country Lithuania.

On 1^st December, the Operation celebrated Romanian National Day which marks the unification of the current Romania by King Ferdinand in 1918.

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Atalanta participated in the EU campaign “16 Days of Activism”, showing how the rejection of all types of violence and, particularly, gender-based violence, is embossed in the Operation’s principles.

As a sample of the continuous role of Atalanta as a maritime security provider, the Operation is always proud to assist all crews in distress or in need of assistance. The ROLE 2 hospital on board ESPS “Santa María” had the opportunity to probe this commitment evacuating an injured fisherman that underwent successful surgery on board.

On the 23^rd December, ESPS Santa Maria (STM), Flagship of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA arrived to the port of Mombasa (Kenya) for a 4 day port visit. On 24^th December, STM crew members conducted visits to a Rescue Centre, a hospital and a school, hosted by a local catholic congregation named “Sisters of St Joseph”, and a donation from Santa Maria crew was given. At the same time, medical officers from STM crew Role1 and Role2F conducted a medical formative activity about first aid principles. Moreover, FHQ donated first aid kits from Operation ATALANTA during the visit to the hospital.