France has offered to send navy ships to the Indian Ocean to protect United Nations (UN) Word Food Program (WFP) ships carrying aid to Somalia. The offer has been met with enthusiasm by the WFP, as France’s proposal would involve French naval ships escorting vessels carrying WFP food into Somali waters for two months.
The French would ensure the WFP vessels safe passage to the port in Mogadishu, which is currently guarded by Ugandan troops as part of the African Union’s peacekeeping force in Somalia.
Increased Piracy
Since the Supreme Islamic Courts Council (SICC) was driven from power by the Ethiopian-backed Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in January 2007, there has been a dramatic increase in piracy incidents. Piracy has been an ongoing problem for Somalia since the country descended into chaos in 1991, following the overthrow of Mohamed Siad Barre. Previously, during the six-month rule of the SICC over most of the country, piracy was greatly reduced as relative stability was brought to Mogadishu and its port.
However, since January 2007 there have been 17 attacks by sea pirates targeting vessels off the coast of Somalia. Among those 17 attacks were two that targeted vessels involved in supporting the WFP. The attacks against the WFP are particularly important as 80 percent of the WFP food sent to Somalia is sent by sea-going vessels.
Targeted Attacks
The pirate attacks are aimed at gaining money through ransom rather than stealing the cargo of the ships. The pirates primarily pose a threat to large cargo ships as their use of fast vessels and satellite navigation equipment can easily target larger ships that cannot maneuver as quickly. Attacks often take place far from the coast, sometimes up to 200 nautical miles, making the ships even more vulnerable.
A previous increase in piracy in Somali waters in 2005, which included the hijacking of two WFP ships, led to WFP to suspend all deliveries by sea for several weeks.
International Response to Piracy Increase
In addition to the recent proposal by France to escort WFP vessels, there have been other actions taken in response to the increase in piracy. The United States has also begun patrols of the sea-lanes in the area. As such, US warships have encountered pirate ships in both 2006 and 2007.
Additionally, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has begun conducting naval exercises in various bodies of water that are particularly plagued with violence and piracy. The Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia was one of the areas where NATO exercises recently occurred. It remains unclear if the recent exercises will lead to increased NATO patrols.
Future Concerns
While the offer by France to protect WFP vessels is a positive step, non-WFP ships will likely also remain targets. As the TFG struggles to establish order in Somalia, the importance of WFP aid will continue, as will the threat of piracy off the country’s coast.
Without a coordinated international plan, whether it be French, US or NATO led to deal with piracy, it will remain an issue in the mid to long-term.
