Highlights
– Sea and land patrols intensified off Kenyan coast to combat terrorist and piracy threats
– European Union approves patrol of Somali sea-coasts
– Although security measures have improved in recent weeks, acts of piracy and transnational terrorism will continue in the near to mid-term.
A number of security developments have taken place in the Horn of Africa over the last few weeks. One of the more prominent advancements has been in Kenya. Sea and land patrols have been intensified off the Kenyan coast to monitor threats posed by international terrorism, drug traffickers, as well as piracy. In addition, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) of the European Union (EU) has approved the principle of a coordinated action regarding the fight against maritime piracy off the Somali coast.
The latest security developments are in response to the rise of pirate attacks and terrorist activity in recent weeks. Although the advancement in security on the coasts of the Horn countries may slow terrorist and pirate operations in the interim, it is unlikely that these measures will deter acts of maritime piracy and terrorism in the long-term.
Kenyan Security Developments
The increase in land and sea patrols near Kenya’s coast resulted after families fleeing renewed hostilities in central and southern Somalia began to trickle into the country seeking refuge. Authorities feared the influx could be used as a means for terrorists to enter the country illegally.
According to Coast Provincial Commissioner Ernest Munyi, the government has augmented security across the region, as well as increased security personnel stationed along the common border with mostly lawless Somalia. Fears ensued over the idea that international terrorists who have set up sleeper cells in the anarchic Horn of Africa nation could slip into the country through the 1200 km porous border Kenya shares with Somalia. However, the recent security developments should work to slow the progress of terrorist groups operating in the area.
Somali Coasts Patrolled
As the rate of pirate attacks, especially against Western and other international vessels, has increased along the Somali coast, a multi-international security approach has been instituted in the region.
• The EU stated in a press release in Brussels on August 13, 2008, that the action to fight piracy might take the form of a coordinated operation in accordance with the maritime means of the member states active in the region.
According to the press release, the operation is planned to start in September 2008. Legal experts will meet shortly in order to set the conditions for boarding and inspecting vessels, as well as how to organize the detention, transfer and the trial of hijackers placed into custody.
The agreement followed the latest pirate attack off the coast of Somalia, when pirates hijacked a Thailand-owned cargo ship carrying 28 crewmembers on the same day. Although the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has not released many details concerning the safety of the crew, it did report that the ship was still moving with the hijackers onboard.
Forecast: Fewer Incidents of Piracy Only in the Interim
As the security enhancements take effect in the coming weeks, it is anticipated that there will be fewer incidents of successful pirate attacks and other acts of maritime terrorism in the interim. However, as pirates begin to adapt to the new measures, they will likely improve their tactics in the mid-term, and carryout more attacks against Western ships and other internationally owned vessels.
Although it is a positive step for the countries in the Horn to take active measures to combat maritime terrorism, there will likely be more incidents of piracy in the mid to long-term.
