Mounting pirate attacks off the coast of West and Central Africa similar to grave situation in Gulf of Aiden in the East

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following today's pirate attack in the Gulf of Guinea, off the coast of Cameroon, the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo issued a warning to the United States and Europe not to turn a blind eye to the growing security threat in the Gulf of Guinea. President Obiang issued the following statement to call attention to the increase in piracy activity that resembles the unsafe waters on the East Coast of Africa in the Gulf of Aiden.

"Today's pirate attack in the Gulf of Guinea should serve as a warning to the United States and Europe that this situation is becoming a great threat to maritime security off the West coast of Africa. The United States and Europe must recognize that the growing number of attacks by rebel groups and smugglers in the region is strikingly similar to the dangerous environment that exists in the Gulf of Aiden and can no longer be ignored. Equatorial Guinea is a willing partner and is eager to work with the United States and Europe to immediately address this increasing security risk to ensure the safety of the people of West and Central Africa and those travelling through the open waters of the Gulf of Guinea."

Today, four pirates attacked a fishing vessel of the coast of Cameroon, in the Gulf of Guinea. It was reported that Cameroonian military killed the four pirates, destroyed their vessel and seized their stash of weapons. Three other gunmen were taken prisoner and two others are currently missing.

Over the last two years, 11 attacks have occurred off the coast of West and Central Africa resulting in abductions, loss of life, and a surmounting threat to the peace and stability of the Gulf of Guinea nations.

This has been distributed by Qorvis Communications, LLC on behalf of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. More information is available at the United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

SOURCE Republic of Equatorial Guinea

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