The Maritime Dimensions of Security in the Horn of Africa: The Case of Somali Piracy
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Date
2012-03
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study examines the maritime dimensions of security in the Horn of Africa in relation to
recent rise of piracy in the Somalian coast. Nowadays it is obvious that maritime transport is the
core element of world economy and each disturbance in the world shipping can create serious
problems for world economy because 85% of world trade relies on maritime transport, especially
now when the world crises appeared. Currently Somali piracy forms maritime threats and
vulnerabilities into the African security landscape. Since the collapse of the Somali state in the
early 1990s, international community have expressed their concern toward the rise of piracy off
the Somali coast and the waterways of the Gulf of Aden. Particularly, the 2008 years marked an
exceptional increase in pirate attacks in Somali waters and received widespread media attention.
The attacks did not only increase in number but also became more sophisticated in materials.
The increase in pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa is directly linked to continuing insecurity
and the absence of the rule of law in war torn Somalia, while additional conditions aggravate
the problem. The absence of a functioning government in Somalia remains the single greatest
challenge to regional security and provides freedom of action for those engaged in piracy along
the Somali coast. Some observers also have alleged that the absence of coastal security
authorities in Somalia has allowed illegal international fishing and waste dumping occur in
Somali waters, which in turn has undermined the economic prospects of some Somalis andproviding economic or political motivation to some groups engaged in piracy. The anti-piracy efforts of the global community have not yet resulted in significant successes as the world focusing on fighting the symptoms of piracy. Nevertheless, some small positive developments are apparent, mainly in regard to strengthening a coordinated and uniform approach among them
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