Over the last two decades, the post-colonial state of Somalia has been well-known as a so-called “failed state” in the scholarly literature. Common structures of a national state were not visible in the African country. Somalia, even though far from politically stable under the dictator Siad Barre, had been suffering even more after the down-fall of the regime in 1991.
Ever since, war, destruction, hunger and poverty had been predominant in the fragile state. It lacked organisation, authority and essential structures. Terrorist groups as well as warlords shaped the political landscape of the country. And although Somalia had transitional administrations from 2004, it did not have a functioning central government until the 2012 election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Shortland and Percy described the situation accurately by stating: “anarchy on land means piracy at sea”.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The Somali Circumstances
- Maritime Piracy as a Global Security Threat
- The European Union's Approach
- The European Union Maritime Security Strategy
- European Union Naval Force Somalia - Operation Atalanta
- Civil EU Activities in Somalia
- Recommended Actions and Future Prospects
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This policy study analyzes the situation off the coast of Somalia (Gulf of Aden) and the EU's response to maritime piracy. It evaluates current security threats and implemented measures, proposing recommendations for long-term solutions.
- The rise of maritime piracy as a global security threat and its economic impact.
- The socio-political context of Somali piracy and its connection to the instability in Somalia.
- The European Union's multi-faceted approach to combating piracy.
- The challenges and effectiveness of international cooperation in addressing maritime piracy.
- Recommendations for future policy actions to create long-term solutions.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Maritime Piracy as a Global Security Threat: This chapter introduces maritime piracy as a growing security threat, highlighting its impact on global trade given the reliance on sea transport. It defines piracy, traces its emergence as a more organized phenomenon from the early 2000s, and pinpoints key affected regions like the Gulf of Aden, a crucial trade route for the European Union. The chapter emphasizes the need for international cooperation to address this transnational threat, foreshadowing the EU's involvement.
The Somali Circumstances: This chapter explores the context of Somali piracy, linking it to Somalia's status as a "failed state" following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime. It describes the resulting anarchy, the influence of warlords and terrorist groups, and the lack of a functioning central government for many years. The chapter highlights how this instability facilitated the rise of piracy, mentioning instances where local governments even profited from it. While acknowledging some progress in Somalia's governance, the chapter emphasizes the ongoing insecurity caused by groups like al-Shabaab and stresses the primarily economic motives behind Somali piracy. The chapter concludes by linking the increase in piracy attacks to factors such as drought and flood, highlighting the severe socio-economic conditions contributing to the problem.
Security Challenges: This section details the significant security challenges in the Gulf of Aden region, emphasizing the high volume of maritime traffic through this area. The chapter uses data on the number of vessels and cargo passing through the Suez Canal to underscore the economic importance of the region. While acknowledging the decrease in piracy attacks from its peak in 2011, it emphasizes the necessity of continued efforts to combat piracy in this crucial waterway, highlighting the continued vulnerability of the area to this transnational crime.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Maritime piracy, Somalia, Gulf of Aden, European Union, global security, transnational crime, failed state, international cooperation, security strategy, Operation Atalanta, economic impact, political instability, al-Shabaab.
EU's Response to Somali Maritime Piracy: A Policy Study - FAQ
What is the main focus of this policy study?
This policy study analyzes the situation off the coast of Somalia (Gulf of Aden) and the European Union's response to maritime piracy. It evaluates current security threats, implemented measures, and proposes recommendations for long-term solutions.
What topics are covered in the study?
The study covers the rise of maritime piracy as a global security threat, its economic impact, the socio-political context of Somali piracy, the European Union's multifaceted approach to combating piracy, the challenges and effectiveness of international cooperation, and recommendations for future policy actions.
What are the key themes explored in the study?
Key themes include the link between Somalia's instability and the rise of piracy, the EU's security strategy and Operation Atalanta, the economic impact of piracy, the challenges of international cooperation, and the need for long-term solutions.
What is the significance of the Somali context?
The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the Somali context, including the "failed state" situation following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime, the influence of warlords and terrorist groups like al-Shabaab, and the severe socio-economic conditions contributing to piracy.
What is the European Union's role in addressing Somali piracy?
The study examines the EU's multi-faceted approach, including the European Union Maritime Security Strategy, Operation Atalanta (EU Naval Force Somalia), and civil EU activities in Somalia. It assesses the effectiveness of these measures.
What are the key challenges in combating Somali piracy?
Challenges include the ongoing instability in Somalia, the transnational nature of the crime, the need for sustained international cooperation, and addressing the underlying socio-economic factors contributing to piracy.
What recommendations are made in the study?
The study offers recommendations for future policy actions aimed at creating long-term solutions to the problem of Somali piracy. Specific recommendations are not detailed in this preview.
What is Operation Atalanta?
Operation Atalanta is the European Union Naval Force Somalia, a key component of the EU's response to Somali piracy. The study likely details its activities and effectiveness.
What is the overall conclusion of the study?
The overall conclusion is not explicitly stated in this preview, but it likely emphasizes the continued need for a comprehensive and sustained approach to addressing Somali piracy, considering both security and socio-economic factors.
Where can I find the full study?
The full study is not available through this preview. Information on obtaining the complete document would likely be provided by the publishing company.
- Citar trabajo
- Julian Bird (Autor), 2016, Maritime piracy at the Horn of Africa as a threat to global security, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/353002
