EU-Seychelles accord could slow Indian Ocean drug trade

In October 2023, Seychelles and the European Union (EU) reached a pivotal agreement allowing the transfer of suspected drug and weapons traffickers from EU Naval Force to Seychelles for prosecution.This showcases a novel approach to tackling drug trafficking while safeguarding human rights. Such bilateral agreements, mirrored in arrangements between other nations, offer a legal framework to navigate the complexities of combating drug trafficking at sea, granting pre-authorization for vessel boarding and cooperative actions against illicit activities.

The Western Indian Ocean and eastern Africa's territorial waters, fraught with drug trafficking vessels often devoid of identifiable flags, pose significant challenges to maritime law enforcement. While some countries, like Seychelles and certain European and American states, claim jurisdiction over these stateless vessels, others lack the capacity for effective monitoring and interception, allowing drug trafficking to persist virtually unchecked.

The involvement of international navies, particularly through initiatives like the Combined Maritime Forces’ Task Force 150, underscores the global response to this issue, though concerns over limited assets and potential human rights violations persist. Despite the legal and logistical hurdles, bilateral agreements like the EU-Seychelles pact offer a promising avenue for addressing both jurisdictional and human rights considerations in the fight against drug trafficking at sea. However, success will hinge on thorough investigations targeting criminal networks orchestrating the trade, alongside efforts to prevent further human rights abuses associated with drug trafficking. If the EU-Seychelles agreement proves successful, it may serve as a model for similar collaborations between international navies and African states in combating transnational crimes at sea.

Source: Institute of Security Studies