The East African Indian Ocean and the Security Challenges

Abstract

Piracy is an ancient phenomenon practiced in many parts of the world by states and individuals to represent political authority, economic control, military strength, vengeance, etc. Global trading routes, free passage, and a dangerous threat to regional and international stability have been adversely interrupted by these illegal activities. This article is intended to study the security impacts of Somali pirates on the Indian Ocean and its implications for integral economic growth.The article also revisits the historical piracy experience on the horn of Africa and East Africa and how the regional states and the international community have come together to suppress piracy.The article further suggests that foreign military intervention is not the ultimate solution to Somali piracy; however, political and diplomatic engagement can significantly impact water-down the severity of maritime criminal activities in the Indian Ocean beyond. Regional and international communities have decisively engaged in several military operations against Somali pirates. Their offshoots on land have not managed to eradicate these groups.The paper concludes that for the Indian Ocean to be safe, navigable, and a potential economic base that guarantees smooth transportation, fishing, and extraction of marine resources, the East African Indian Ocean countries must ensure security and political stability restored in Somalia. Keywords: Piracy, global security, the East African Community, the Indian Ocean, piracy, maritime economy, maritime security DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/103-12 Publication date: November 30 th 2020