Piracy in Somalia: Indications of a Breakdown of Global, Regional and National Security Systems

The briefing analyzes the rise of piracy in Somalia, specifically citing the seizure of the MV Faina, as evidence of systemic security failures. It attributes the crisis to the inability of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to provide security, the limited mandate of AMISOM, and the failure of regional bodies like IGAD. The author contends that piracy gained local legitimacy as a response to the illegal exploitation of Somali marine resources by foreign companies and argues that military solutions are insufficient without a paradigm shift toward human security and the establishment of an inclusive Somali government.

• Piracy off the Somali coast has escalated significantly, with over 61 actual and attempted hijackings recorded by the International Chamber of Commerce and International Maritime Bureau from the start of 2008 to September 25, 2008. A notable escalation was the seizure of the Ukrainian ship MV Faina, which was transporting approximately 35 T72 military tanks and other weapons.
• The increase in piracy is attributed to a failure across three levels of security: the national level, where the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is described as a 'client-government' unable to provide security; the regional level, where IGAD and the East African Standby Brigade (EASBRIG) have failed their mandates; and the global level, where the US is preoccupied with the Global War on Terror.
• Pirates have justified their actions by claiming to protect Somali waters from illegal exploitation by foreign consortiums that plundered marine resources unsustainably starting in the mid-nineties. However, this justification is undermined by the fact that pirates have targeted ships carrying humanitarian supplies, increasing the cost of aid and impacting human security.
• The author argues that proposed military solutions from the European Union and the TFG will have limited significance. Instead, the document recommends a paradigm shift toward human security, including the withdrawal of external forces and the creation of a genuine, all-inclusive government in Somalia.

APA

Guyo, M. (2008). Piracy in Somalia: Indications of a Breakdown of Global, Regional and National Security Systems. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/topics/crime-and-criminal-justice/09-oct-2008-iss-today-piracy-in-somalia-indications-of-a-breakdown-of-global-regional-and-national-security-systems

Chicago

Guyo, Mohamed. Piracy in Somalia: Indications of a Breakdown of Global, Regional and National Security Systems. Institute for Security Studies, 2008. https://issafrica.org/topics/crime-and-criminal-justice/09-oct-2008-iss-today-piracy-in-somalia-indications-of-a-breakdown-of-global-regional-and-national-security-systems.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Guyo |first1=Mohamed |title=Piracy in Somalia: Indications of a Breakdown of Global, Regional and National Security Systems |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=9 October 2008 |url=https://issafrica.org/topics/crime-and-criminal-justice/09-oct-2008-iss-today-piracy-in-somalia-indications-of-a-breakdown-of-global-regional-and-national-security-systems |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{guyo2008piracy, author = {Guyo, Mohamed}, title = {{Piracy in Somalia: Indications of a Breakdown of Global, Regional and National Security Systems}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2008}, month = oct, url = {https://issafrica.org/topics/crime-and-criminal-justice/09-oct-2008-iss-today-piracy-in-somalia-indications-of-a-breakdown-of-global-regional-and-national-security-systems}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }