2012年-CEPS欧洲政策研究中心_Somalia_and_the_Pirates_35页_413kb

Summary of "Somalia and the Pirates" (ESF Working Paper No. 33)

Core Content

This working paper provides a historical and political analysis of Somali piracy, challenging common assumptions that link it directly to state failure, Islamic fundamentalism, and terrorism. It argues that Somali piracy is rooted in the region's long-standing maritime economy and has evolved in response to specific political and economic conditions rather than being a symptom of state collapse.

Main Points

1. Historical Context of Somali Piracy

• Long-standing tradition: Piracy along the Somali coast is not a new phenomenon, but rather a deeply embedded part of the maritime economy that has existed for centuries.
• Maritime economy: The coastal communities of Puntland and Somaliland have historically engaged in fishing, dhow sailing, and international trade, with piracy emerging as a means of securing wealth through ransoms and cargo looting.
• Colonial era: During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, piracy was a local issue, often linked to smuggling and the exploitation of maritime resources by both local sheikhs and colonial powers.
• Smuggling and tribute: Smuggling was closely tied to the maritime economy, and local political leaders often collected tribute from ships wrecked or intercepted by pirates.
• Post-colonial decline: After the collapse of the Barre regime in the 1990s, state control over the coast weakened, leading to increased piracy and the exploitation of the maritime economy by local actors.

2. Political Contingencies Affecting Piracy

• Fisheries and customs: The decline of fisheries and the lack of effective customs control contributed to the rise of piracy. The Somali government's inability to manage these sectors led to opportunities for local actors to exploit them.
• Puntland's governance: The establishment of Puntland as a de facto state in the late 1990s led to the hiring of private security firms like Hart, which inadvertently trained local men in piracy techniques.
• Islamic Courts: The Islamic Courts administration in the early 2000s brought a degree of political order, which suppressed criminal activity. However, their eventual downfall created a power vacuum that allowed piracy to resurge.
• Political transitions: The emergence of new states (Somaliland, Puntland, and the residual state of Somalia) has created a fragmented political landscape, where criminal activities are often embedded within local governance.
• International legitimacy: New administrations in Puntland and Somaliland seek Western recognition and support, which influences their policies and sometimes leads to tolerance or complicity in piracy-related activities.

3. Key Observations

• Piracy as a criminal activity: Rather than a political act, piracy is portrayed as a criminal enterprise driven by economic opportunity.
• Ransom economy: The ransoming of ships and crews has become a significant part of the local economy, with ransoms often reaching into the tens of millions of US dollars.
• Technology and organization: The rise in piracy since 2007 is attributed to the emergence of a few new gangs, rather than a widespread movement, and the use of advanced technology and tactics.
• International implications: The paper warns against the assumption that Somali pirates are linked to terrorism, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of the local and global factors influencing piracy.

Key Information

• Timeline: Somali piracy has been a recurring issue since the early 18th century, with a notable resurgence in the late 2000s.
• Geographic focus: The eastern coast of Puntland and the ports of Eyl, Haradheere, and others have been central to pirate operations.
• Economic impact: Piracy has had a significant effect on the local economy, particularly through the ransoming of ships and the exploitation of maritime trade.
• International response: Naval task forces and insurance payments have been key elements of the international response to piracy, with ransoms being a major source of income for pirates.
• Smuggling and tribute: Smuggling has historically been a key component of the maritime economy, and the practice of collecting tribute from wrecked ships has persisted.

Conclusion

The paper argues that Somali piracy must be understood within the context of a complex and historically rooted maritime economy, shaped by political transitions, weak state institutions, and the rise of criminal networks. It challenges the narrative that piracy is solely a result of state failure or Islamic fundamentalism, instead highlighting the role of economic incentives and local governance structures in sustaining and enabling pirate activities.