Piracy Off The Horn of Africa: Why Does It Still Pose a Threat, Albeit Dormant?

Authors : Ege Çiftçi

Pages : 177-214

View : 194 | Download : 68

Publication Date : 2025-01-24

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Even though numerous states and international organizations launched counter-piracy operations to Somalia and its surrounding maritime areas over the past 15 years, piracy remains and is regarded as a dormant threat, rather than a relatively neutralised one. Despite the international military and financial support to suppress piracy and strengthen regional states’ maritime capacity, why does Horn of Africa remain to be perceived as a treacherous zone? This article argues that the current legal counter-piracy regime spanning off the Horn of Africa set primarily by United Nations Security Council Resolutions is inexpedient due to its mandate being formulated for suppression rather than reduction of piracy off the Horn of Africa to healthy levels through constructive means. The article will analyse the reasons behind the regional instability and social-economic factors which nurture piracy, the instability’s effect as a legitimizing factor for international interventions, and the effects of this international presence on Somalia by analysing the legal framework used for counter-piracy measures and ventures of international actors present in the region. After this inquiry, the article will reflect upon the outcome of these measures and whether they succeeded in their efforts.
Keywords : Deniz Haydutluğu, Birleşmiş Milletler Güvenlik Konseyi, Deniz Haydutluğuyla Mücadele Operasyonları, Uluslararası Kamu Hukuku, Somali, Uluslararası Deniz Hukuku