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Abstract
The United Nations Security Council has repeatedly stated that onshore solutions have to be carried out in Somalia in order to end piracy in the Horn of Africa. Yet, the primary responses from the international community have been focused at sea and within neighbouring countries. In this article, we identify, explain and analyse the obstacles to onshore and long-term policy responses to piracy in the Horn of Africa. In the first section, while using semi-structured interviews with government diplomats, members of international organizations and industry leaders, we examine the rationales given as to why the world community is reluctant to engage with onshore solutions – that is, state-building and development initiatives. Interviewees identified four factors: lack of credible national partner; competing priorities; corruption; and divisive internal Somali politics. We then discuss the current onshore initiatives and activities that the international community has carried out so far. In the final part, we provide analyses and implications of the findings.
Funding
This [research] publication was made possible by NPRP [grant number 5-1275-5-196] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.
Notes on contributors
Ladan A. Affi is a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Department of International Affairs at Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
Afyare A. Elmi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of International Affairs at Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
Said Mohamed is a Research Associate in the Department of International Affairs at Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
Notes
1. See UN Security Council Resolutions 2020 (2011), 2036 (2012), 2077 (2012), 2125 (2013), 2184 (2014).
2. Final Communiqué of the fifth Plenary Session of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, New York, 29 October 2010.
3. Final Communiqué of the sixth Plenary Session of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, New York, 10 June 2010.
4. UN Security Council, 6386th meeting, “The situation in Somalia: Report of the Secretary-General on Somalia” (S/2010/447), 16 September 2010.
5. Reflections on four years work in the Contact Group: In conversation with Donna Hopkins. Lessons from piracy: Capturing the experience of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. (Citation2014, April 15), Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://www.lessonsfrompiracy.net/2014/07/08/in-conversation-with-donna-hopkins/
6. Phone interview with western diplomat, 14 October 2013.
7. Interviews with western government diplomats, Dubai, 11–12 September 2013; Djibouti, 10–14 November 2013.
8. Interview with EUNAVFOR official, Doha, 27 November 2013.
9. Phone interview with a western diplomat, 14 October 2013.
10. Ibid.
11. Interview with a EUNAVFOR official, Doha, 19 March 2015.
12. Somali “Big Mouth” Quits Pirate Industry (2013, January 11). Retrieved from http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/01/20131112184136655.html
13. Interview with international organization official, Dubai, 11 September 2013.
14. Interview with a diplomat, Djibouti, 14 November 2013.
15. Interview with international organization official, Dubai, 11 September 2013.
16. Interview with international organization official, Dubai, 12 September 2013.
17. Interview with international organization official, Dubai, 11 September 2013.
18. Kampala Process: A draft Somali maritime strategy. Communiqué No. 2 (Legal Issue), 18 March 2013. Retrieved from http://unpos.unmissions.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Mfp0Vhla-dA%3D&tabid=11461&language=en-US
19. Interviews with several IGO officials, Dubai, September 2013.
20. Interview with UN official, 11 September 2013.
21. Phone interview with international organization official, 31 October 2013.
22. Ibid.
23. See UNCLOS, article 100. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/UNCLOS-TOC.htm
24. See About ReCAAP. Retrieved from http://www.recaap.org/AboutReCAAPISC.aspx
25. http://www.imo.org/OurWork/Security/PIU/Pages/Signatory-States.aspx. See also Madsen and Kane-Harnett (Citation2014).
26. See Djibouti Code of Conduct. Retrieved from http://www.imo.org/OurWork/Security/PIU/Pages/DCoC.aspx
27. Focus on delivery! In conversation with Phil Holihead. IMO. Lessons from piracy: Capturing the experience of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. (September 9, 2014), London. Retrieved from http://www.lessonsfrompiracy.net/2014/10/06/focus-on-delivery-in-conversation-with-phil-holihead-imo-2/
28. Ibid.
29. Interview with Somali official, Dubai, 13 September 2013.
30. Trust Fund to Support Initiatives of States Countering Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. (2014, October 28). 16th Meeting of the Board. Retrieved from http://mptf.undp.org/document/download/13520.
31. Ibid.
32. Interview with international organization official, Dubai, 12 September 2013; see also Weldemichael (Citation2014).
33. Interview, Djibouti, 14 November 2015.
34. Phone interview with western diplomat, 14 October 2013.
35. Interview with international organization official, Dubai, 11 September 2013.
36. Interview with Somali official, Dubai, 12 September 2013.
37. Ibid.
38. Phone interview with western diplomat, 14 October 2013.
39. Phone interview with western diplomat, 31 October 2013.
40. Ibid.