Rome seeks closer ties with Dar in fight against piracy

Dar es Salaam. Italy has pledged to work with Tanzania in fighting maritime crime, especially piracy, in its naval campaign that will cut across eighteen nations.

The campaign dubbed “A country on the move,” is an ambitious initiative that aims at providing humanitarian assistance, maritime security operations, training, confidence building, naval diplomacy and promotion of the Italian entrepreneurial excellences.

The 30th Naval Group of the Italian navy arrived in the country on Monday with two technological ships, on its four-day visit as part of its naval campaign. The group is expected to leave the Dar es Salaam Port on Friday.

The visit, according to Italian ambassador in Dar Dar es Salaam Luigi Scotto, is expected to boost relationships existing between the Tanzanian and Italian navies, allowing exchange of experiences and ideas, knowledge and operational capabilities.

Speaking at a press conference on board Frigate Bergamini, a naval ship, Mr Luigi said the bilateral relations between the two countries would help in boosting maritime security on the Indian Ocean.

However, there was not a single official representing the Tanzanian military or government. Asked if the army was aware of the presence of a contingent of the Italian navy in the country, Tanzania People’s Defence Forces Lieutenant Colonel Erick Komba said the army was well informed but, he explained, the visitors were on their own anti-piracy programme.

“They stopped at our port for a routine port-of-call affair which mostly involves replenishment of oil and other necessities for use in the ship,’’ he said. Lt Col Komba said the presence of the Italian navy group was yet another milestone towards increasing diplomatic ties and joint military operations.

Addressing a press conference, the commander of the ship, Marco Casapieri underscored the need to promote joint exercises and training in order to develop united capabilities.

“This will help to boost effectiveness in surveillance activities and maritime security in their operational environment, with positive results in global security,’’ he said.

The Italian naval group comprising aircraft carrier Cavour, supply ship Etna, frigate Bergamini and patrol ship Borsini, left Italy in mid-November, setting sail towards the Suez Canal, to start a naval campaign across the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabic Gulf, ending with the Circumnavigation of Africa.