Somalia: Piracy Incidences Dip Amid Reports of Corruption
Reports from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) indicate a significant reduction in incidences of piracy in the Gulf of Aden in the first quarter of 2012.There was 163 instances in the first quarter of 2011, the first half of this year has so far seen 69 incidences, which indicates a drop in global piracy figures of by about a third.According to a leaked advance copy of the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia report, the decrease in piracy in the region can be attributed to three main factors.The first is the adoption of best maritime security practices by shipping companies plying the routes.The second is the pre-emptive and disruptive counter-piracy tactics employed by the international naval forces currently operating in the territorial waters of Somalia, including the recent widening of their mandates to include the ability to attack pirate bases on land.The third has to do with the increasing use of private maritime security companies to provide security for shipping companies using the route.While these factors are largely external to Somalia, there are a number of important internal developments that could also have contributed to the success of the fight against piracy.These include Puntland's counter-piracy campaign and increased stability in Mogadishu, ...
Read more