Indonesia’s Ambassador to Kenya and Somalia, Witjaksono Adji, confirmed that the country did not comply with any demands from the hijackers during the rescue of the MT Honour 25 crew, who were taken hostage off the coast of Somalia. He emphasized that while Indonesia prioritized diplomatic efforts, there were no direct negotiations with the hijackers. Granting their demands would have violated international regulations and could potentially encourage further hijackings.
Throughout the rescue operation, Ambassador Witjaksono and his team maintained ongoing communication with both the Somali central government and Puntland authorities, who oversee the waters where the incident occurred. He suggested enhancing maritime cooperation with Puntland to facilitate dialogue aimed at securing the crew’s release. The team also engaged with local community networks and NGOs to support their efforts.
The crew members were ultimately rescued during an armed operation by Puntland authorities on September 29, 2026. Following their rescue, the crew underwent a recovery period in Puntland before returning to Indonesia. The four Indonesian crew members, who endured nearly six months of captivity, were finally reunited with their families. The MT Honour 25 was hijacked on April 22, 2026, with a crew that included individuals from several countries.
