Piracy in the Gulf of Aden. An Appraisal

Abstract or Introduction

The paper aimed at analysing the factors and causes of piracy in the Gulf of Aden in order to proffer suggested measures through which these factors can be further mitigated. The paper adopted the doctrinal research methodology through the use of case-laws, legal textbooks and other legal sources in assessing piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the coast of Somalia. The paper is structured in six different parts. The first part discussed the introductory matters. The second part stated the problem of study and research questions. The third part analysed the factors and causes of piracy in the Gulf of Aden. The fourth part examined the consequences and legal framework of Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the coast of Somalia. The sixth and final part concluded and recommended amongst others the need for a centralized piracy court and proper prosecution of piracy cases and other international best practices as a way to eliminate the long burgeoning issue of Piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

Maritime Piracy is a growing global concern and a relevant threat to international trade, human safety and marine environment. There are two maritime regions greatly disturbed by maritime piracy: The Gulf of Aden and The Gulf of Guinea. The absence of a functioning legal system in Somalia has caused difficulty in policy formulation and implementation of penalties against pirates, hence combating piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia has remained a great challenge to International Community. This paper assessed piracy in the Gulf of Aden and examined the background of piracy in the Gulf of Aden.