Zanzibar VP calls for unity to ensure maritime security

Dar es Salaam. Zanzibar Second Vice President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla has urged Tanzanians to join hands with other nations to maintain maritime security which is currently faces challenges.

Mr Abdulla was speaking during a conference on the state of maritime security partnership for a secure and prosperous Tanzania organised by the Centre for International Policy (CIP) Africa.

Maritime security challenges refers to threats that prevail in the maritime domain, including inter-state disputes, terrorism, piracy, trafficking of narcotics, people and illicit goods, illegal fishing, environmental crimes, and maritime accidents and disasters.

“These threats have no boundary, race, region, country, colour, age or gender. It calls and reminds us that without partnership, no country can stand alone and claim the ability to face them. Partnership is our strength and indeed, together we can,” Mr Abdulla said.

“We cannot deny that the globally connected economy relies on the oceans and adjoining littoral zones for fishing, access to natural resources and the movement of the world’s commerce. Insecurity in the maritime domain has a huge impact on the cost of production.”