Tanzania signs pact to fight piracy with Mozambique and South Africa

DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The governments of Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa have signed a tripartite pact to strengthen maritime security in Indian Ocean and fight piracy, local media reported on Wednesday.

The inking of the agreement done by Tanzania Defense and National Service Minister Hussein Mwinyi and South African Defense Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, and Mozambican National Defense Minister Filipe Jacinto Nyussi was witnessed by Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete on Tuesday, according to the Guardian.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Kikwete promised to assist the Tanzania People's Defense Force in taking part in the joint efforts course.

"We are going to take all measures to keep our sea safe because more than 90 percent of our trade use the ocean route...At first we thought that the problem was confined only to the Horn of Africa, but now it has extended to the Southern part of the Indian Ocean," said Kikwete.

The President commended South Africa and Mozambique accepting to cooperate with Tanzania in fighting the menace which is threatening the economies of the countries and beyond.

Tanzanian Defense and National Service Minister Mwinyi said the aim of the MoU is to strengthen cooperation between armed forces of the three countries in carrying out the war against piracy.

Mwinyi said the cooperation will focus on joint military exercises, information sharing and surveillance conducting.