Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete has told the UN General Assembly in New York that the maritime piracy problem is spreading fast and that more help was needed to deal with the problem.
Addressing the UN members last Thursday, the Tanzanian leader, who has already seen the impact of piracy in his country, urged the international community to boost support for East African countries to deal with maritime piracy. He said the problem was no longer a Somali one but was a problem for other countries in the region. In recent past an estimated 13 ships have been attacked in the Tanzania waters including five thatwere hijacked.
Kikwete said Tamnzania needs the support of the "International community to help build capacity to fight piracy". The president also called for help to strengthen the capacity of the courts and prisons in the East African region to deal with captured pirates.
Raphael Mweninguwe