Atlantic Community:Global Must Read Article "A New Strategy to Fight Piracy"

A New Strategy to Fight Piracy

Peter Fromuth, frm. State Dept. Official | December 4, 2008

A new strategy to tackle Somali piracy has become imperative. ++ A blockade with patrolling naval ships at each major port has the best hope of counteracting the pirates' wealth and anonymity ++ Customary international law can be exercised to allow states to use force against pirates on the high seas. ++ A clear UNSC mandate would also facilitate cohesive action from EU and a multinational flotilla in the area. ++ A blockade must be seriously considered by the UN as a means of shutting down Somali piracy once and for all.

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Tue, Dec 30th 2008, 01:31

Eluemuno R Blyden, AfriVax, Inc., (2)

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The problem of piracy cannot be divorced from other important issues of illegal maritime activity. The roots of most piracy around the African litoral can be traced to the ecologic and economic impact of illegal fishing by many foreign nationals in African waters. Ironically, the Russians and Chinese who for decades have been the biggest culprits seem to the be the most enthusiastic about "squashing" Somali piracy. If we demand respect for international maritime conventions from poor Somali fishermen turned pirates, then we should demand the same from the fleets of illegal fishing vessels that continue to steal food and livelihoods from African nations that cannot afford to patrol their waters.

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A New Strategy to Fight Piracy

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