Piracy and Maritime Security off the Horn of Africa: Connections, Causes, and Concerns

In the wake of the 21st century, Africa's waters have now overtaken traditionally dangerous areas such as the Strait of Malacca in the Southeast Asia in terms of visibility in the global map of piracy. The recent increase in the frequency and range of pirate attacks around the coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden off the Horn of Africa has become a subject of growing concern to states and other stakeholders, especially in the shipping industry. This article therefore focuses on the dynamics of maritime piracy in the region. Specifically, it draws attention to the more significant “hard security” concerns the explosion of piracy has generated within the international community. It further examines the factors underpinning the outbreak of piracy in the region and highlights some efforts to curb the scourge. It argues that only an effective combination of counterpiracy enforcement measures and robust policies designed to stabilize Somalia can effectively address this growing threat to merchant shipping in the region.