PIRACY IN THE GULF OF GUINEA AND THE MARITIME DOMAIN OFF THE COAST OF SOMALIA, 2005–2024

Abstract

For about two decades, the Gulf of Guinea and the maritime domain off the Coast of Somalia have suffered persistent pirate attacks on vessels. The enormity of the problem is brought home by data which indicates the exponential rise in pirate attacks in these areas in recent times. The insecurity created by the activities of pirates on these two important maritime corridors in Africa poses a severe threat to international trade and investment, constrains the ability of countries in these regions to exploit ocean resources for national economic development and also negatively impact the global economy. This paper critically examines the root causes of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and the waterways off the coast of Somalia and the local and international efforts to contain the problem. The paper depended on secondary data which were sourced from the internet, journals, books, magazines and newspapers. Logical conclusions were drawn after painstaking examination of available data. The paper found that piracy in these areas is caused by a combination of factors occurring onshore which manifests in criminal activities offshore. To resolve the crisis, the paper recommended the institution of effective government in states in the affected regions; boosting the capacity of states to police their maritime domains; tackling issues of poverty and unemployment and addressing local grievances particularly in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.