He has that charismatic potential that makes him a really powerful figure.

Addressing the crowd, she added: "Raise your voice and share your stories. Often we don't realise how powerful we are."

He also pointed out that online groups such as the one Mr Pelicot used can be very powerful.

"We were sleeping peacefully, then suddenly we woke up to the sound of a very powerful explosion," he said.

He believes they are issued with fake Somali fishing licences by powerful local backers who also provide them with gunmen for protection.