NCJ Number
230294
Journal
Journal of Strategic Security Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2009 Pages: 1-12
Date Published
September 2009
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the growing threat of piracy to international shipping and global response to this threat.
Abstract
Since 2006, the number of reported piracy attacks in the Horn of Africa region has increased dramatically. The number of reported attacks in the first 5 months of 2009 surpassed the total number of attacks for all of 2008. This growing and expanded threat has serious implications for important trade and transit routes connecting Africa, Asia and Europe. This article addresses the current international response to the threat of piracy and offers recommendations for dealing with the problem. Current efforts often overlap and result in competing efforts between unilateral and multilateral initiatives. These initiatives need to be reorganized so as to work in a more harmonious fashion to better meet the needs of all involved parties. This article discusses the efforts of the United Nations, the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Contact Group on Somalia, and multinational operations led by the United States. Recommendations are listed to address the piracy problem and include: the need to ensure the security of shipping traffic in the region by harmonizing the international efforts; securing greater cooperation between national fleets and private entities that dominate maritime commerce; and promoting and working towards the advent and consolidation of an effective Somali Government. References