Background

Intercepts PiratesPiracy off the Horn of Africa has become an increasingly serious problem over the last years. The lack of rule of law in Somalia, which has been without an effective central government since 1991, has provoked a surge of hijackings and piracy in the region. In 2008, 111 pirate attacks were reported off the coast of Somalia and 130 attacks have already been reported in 2009. Attacks have now occurred as far south as the exclusive economic zone of the Seychelles and beyond the operating area of Operation Atalanta of the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR). The following trends can be identified:

 

  • Pirates in the region have become more organized and aggressive, equipping themselves with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades
  • The use of "mother ships" allow pirates to operate hundreds of kilometres off the coast to hijack larger vessel
  • Pirate groups may often be linked to other forms of organized crime since they maintain relatively sophisticated intelligence collection networks and are engaged in the systematic corruption of local officials
  • Funds from ransoms are widely distributed within local communities, with piracy becoming a major source of income within Somalia and other States.

States that are directly affected by acts of piracy (flag states, states whose citizens have become victims of piracy and states whose citizens are themselves pirates) have been reluctant to take on piracy prosecutions for policy, practical or legal reasons. Some have taken pirates to their countries (Yemen, Spain, France, the Netherlands and the United States) for trial when their nationals or vessels are victims of an attack, but the international community has generally preferred to seek a regional solution.