Legal and Political Quandary in the Securitization of the Gulf of Aden

Abstract

The use of the world’s navies in the protection of the maritime stretch of the Gulf of Aden against Somali pirates has offered much impetus in the drive towards ensuring maritime security in that water course. But such successes have accordion consequences in the resolve of the pirates to record more successes evident in the spread of their activities into the high sea, use of arms and greater violence to compel ships to stop, as well as the grave danger that hostages are subjected to. The nature of Somali pirates as distinct from the traditional pirates known to international law and the challenges nations participating in the naval mission encounter in their effort to make the gulf safe for navigation, arresting and prosecuting apprehended pirates are posing great challenges to the entire securitization process amidst gaps in international law in this regard. This paper argues that a more effective measure in addressing piracy in the gulf would be a comprehensive diplomatic effort that takes into cognizance the myriad of the critical mass of issues within and outside Somalia which brought about and or are sustaining the unfortunate maritime security situation in the Gulf of Aden.