The Attorney General’s Office Maritime Crime Unit was created in 2021. The Unit receives support, technical advice and expertise from EUCAP Somalia. The Maritime Crime Unit is responsible for tackling all types of crime committed at the sea, including piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing, drugs and human trafficking, and illegal carrying of weapons. 
 

Interns are integrated into the Maritime Crimes Unit assisting the Head Prosecutor, who is their national mentor. The interns take part in the daily work activities, participate in training sessions and meetings, and at the same time select areas of interest to develop their own capacities. EUCAP supports the process by assigning them an international mentor among the Legal Reform Advisors of the Maritime Security Unit. The mentor will also assist their learning processes with online and in person meetings, in which interns are provided with information on international standards and treaties.

High expectations and great importance

Mr Hamza Abdirashid and Mr Mohamed Abdirizak, the two new interns, met with the EUCAP Head of Mission Mr. Kauko Aaltomaa at the EUCAP Head Office. The interns revealed their gratitude for the opportunity for internship and felt enthusiasm for the opportunity to learn from the experts and practitioners at the Maritime Crime Unit. The young lawyers also expressed their high expectations and aspirations for the program and their future careers.
 

In the discussion, Mr Aaltomaa underlined the importance of the Internship program for both the Mission and the Future of Somalia and thanked the AGO for its continued support and partnership with EUCAP Somalia. HoM also congratulated the interns on their selection and expressed his hope that they will benefit from the program and contribute to the work of the AGO Maritime Crime Unit.    
 

EUCAP has similar internship programs also with other organisations. In the Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport two female legal advisors of the Somali Maritime Administration benefitted from their internship and are currently furthering their knowledge on the maritime domain, for example in the IMO International Maritime Law Institute in Malta. At present, another two women are performing their internship in the Maritime Security Division of the Ministry of Internal Security. Additional two interns are benefitting from the program for a period of 11 months in the Fisheries Management and Inspection Section of the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy.