A PIRATE PARADISE - UNDERLYING CAUSES AND KEY CHALLENGES IN COUNTERING PIRACY OFF THE HORN OF AFRICA

The incidence of acts of piracy and armed robbery against shipping off the Horn of Africa has increased markedly in recent years despite concerted international counter-piracy efforts. The paper traces the precipitate rise in acts of piracy, especially off the coasts of Somalia before examining key underlying causes for this phenomenon. The paper then critiques the international response to the increasing piracy threat off the Horn of Africa before examining prospects for the future.