This report provides an analysis of the conflict which exists in combatting maritime piracy in Somalia. It identifies key factors that are responsible for the development of Somali piracy and the actors which aim to stop it. Furthermore, the report addresses the legal, social, militaristic, economic, and political complications that arise from varying international strategies to effectively combat policy.
The report outlines several underlying historical and geographical factors followed by the impacts that Somalia has faced in terms of its central government’s collapse in 1991. As is discussed, Somalia as a failed state has allowed for piracy to flourish in conjunction with the described underlying factors. It also describes the cyclical trend, or feedback loop, that many of these factors have for promoting piracy while piracy in return antagonizes the issues caused by these factors.
The obstacles towards combating piracy are also discussed demonstrating the difficult scenario that policymakers will need to address in order to effectively treat the cause of piracy. In order to identify the contradiction that exists pertaining to the issue of Somali piracy, this report will focus on Somalia’s fractured society and its incompatibility with international democratic norms. As will become evident, the reduction of piracy hinges on the ability for Somalia’s central government to stabilize. However, due to the mentioned fractured society within Somalia, the ability to develop a stable and functional democratic government is in direct conflict with the nature of Somali society.
At a glance
- Examines Combined Task Force 151 and legal options for prosecuting pirates
- Compares naval and land-based approaches to combating piracy
- 33 sources in the bibliography
Table of Contents
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2. PRELIMINARY NOTE
3. INTRODUCTION
4. THE PRECONDITIONS FOR PIRACY IN SOMALIA
4.1 Illegal Fishing and Toxic Waste Dumping by Foreign States
4.2 Somalia’s Strategic Geographical Location
4.3 Somalia`s Clan Structure
5. PIRACY’S GROWTH FOLLOWING STATE FAILURE
5.1 Lack of Opportunity
5.2 The Lack of Food Security and Other Necessities
5.3 Ongoing Internal Violence
6. IMPACTS AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
7. CONCLUSION
Objectives and Themes
This report examines why maritime piracy developed and persisted in Somalia and what obstacles prevent an effective response. It considers how pre-existing conditions, state failure and international counter-piracy strategies interact, asking why Somalia is particularly vulnerable to piracy and why efforts to end it have proved difficult.
- Illegal fishing and toxic waste dumping in Somali waters
- Somalia’s geographical position and clan structure
- State failure, unemployment, food insecurity and internal violence
- The consequences of piracy for shipping and humanitarian assistance
- Naval operations, prosecution and land-based approaches
Excerpt from the Book
Illegal Fishing and Toxic Waste Dumping by Foreign States:
In 2008, the UN special envoy to Somalia, Ahmedou Ould Abdallah (Agence France-Presse, 2008), explained that because of Somalia’s lack of central government, the illegal fishing of Somali waters and dumping of toxic waste by foreign ships has become rampant. Furthermore, what government does exist, allows for illegal fishing and dumping through payoffs to officials. Not only does this pollute and harm the Somali habitat, it further fuels the divisions within Somalia as corruption grows. This undoubtedly leads to increased civil strife as even some pirates claim to be acting as officials of the non-existent Somali coast guard with the duty to protect its waters. Illegal fishing ultimately creates competition for Somali fishermen and perhaps instigates a change of career to piracy as it is responsible for approximately $90 million in loss to the Somali economy with an estimated 850 unlicensed foreign owned vessels fishing in Somalia each year (Hassan & Mwanguru, 2008). The European External Action Service (EEAS) (2012) appears to be aware of this, claiming that the suppression of illegal fisheries improves maritime security. As such, the European Union (EU) funds surveillance throughout the Indian Ocean to offset illegal fishing. This strategy’s goal is to provide a sustainable stock of fish, notably tuna, in an effort to provide new economic opportunities for the region. Ultimately, this strategy has a stabilizing effect that would aid in the economic stability of Somalia.
Illegal fishing and dumping are not a recent phenomenon in Somalia. Abdullahi (2008) notes that allegations of toxic waste dumping and illegal fishing have been prevalent since the early 1990’s. These allegations became a reality when the UN Environment Programme (UNEP, 2005) reported a tsunami had washed ashore a number of hazardous waste containers which led to widespread illness in Somali communities. Most dumping is said to come from Asia and Europe, likely fuelling anti-Western and anti-foreign sentiment among Somalis. However, at the same time, chairman of the Somalia Concern Group, Mohammed Gure (as cited in Abdullahi, 2008), explains that blame is also placed on corrupt ministers who profit from waste dumping. Therefore, like illegal fishing, illegal dumping also has the potential to manifest more civil divisions among the Somali population – between citizens and corrupt officials and among regional clans.
Chapter Summaries
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The report outlines its account of piracy’s underlying conditions, the effects of state failure and the difficulties facing international policymakers.
PRELIMINARY NOTE: The author explains the report’s assumptions about Somalia’s transition from the Transitional Federal Authority to a central government in 2012.
INTRODUCTION: The introduction sets out the threat to shipping, the limitations of maritime protection and the question of why piracy has developed in Somalia.
THE PRECONDITIONS FOR PIRACY IN SOMALIA: This chapter discusses illegal fishing and waste dumping, Somalia’s strategic location and its clan structure as conditions preceding the growth of piracy.
PIRACY’S GROWTH FOLLOWING STATE FAILURE: The author examines unemployment, food insecurity and internal violence as interrelated pressures associated with the collapse of central government.
IMPACTS AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE: This chapter considers naval patrols, the prosecution of apprehended pirates and alternative counter-piracy strategies, along with obstacles to intervention on land.
CONCLUSION: The report draws together its arguments about state instability, clan divisions and the limitations of international efforts to combat piracy.
Keywords
Somali piracy, maritime security, state failure, illegal fishing, toxic waste dumping, Gulf of Aden, clan structure, unemployment, food insecurity, internal violence, naval patrols, pirate prosecution, international intervention
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this work about?
It examines the development of maritime piracy in Somalia and the challenges of combating it.
What are its central themes?
The report addresses state failure, geographical and social conditions, economic hardship, violence and international counter-piracy responses.
What is the primary research question?
The report asks why Somalia is particularly prone to piracy, what factors sustain it and what obstacles stand in the way of ending it.
What method does the author use?
The author develops an analytical argument using published scholarship, institutional reports, news accounts and other secondary sources.
What does the main discussion cover?
It considers conditions that preceded the growth of piracy, pressures intensified by state failure, and the impacts and limitations of international responses.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Somali piracy, state failure, maritime security, clan structure, illegal fishing, food insecurity and pirate prosecution.
How does the report connect illegal fishing with piracy?
It discusses competition with Somali fishermen, economic losses, corruption and claims that pirates act to protect Somali waters.
What role does Somalia’s clan structure play in the analysis?
The author considers how divisions among clans affect political cohesion and efforts to establish a functioning central government.
Which international responses are discussed?
The report examines Combined Task Force 151, naval patrols, regional prosecutions, armed merchant ships and approaches addressing conditions on land.
- Quote paper
- Michael Kennedy (Author), 2013, Combatting Maritime Piracy in Somalia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/268268
