Piracy, Maritime Security and Economic Implication in East African Coast

Abstract

Piracy, a criminal activity embellished in maritime East Africa, has become more virulent. Piracy continues to threaten the security of East African regional waters and ports. Consequently, the only way to deal with piracy and maritime insecurity, which is a serious threat in these waters, is to confront and fight through effective policies and laws and their enforcements. This study, therefore, focuses on the dynamics of maritime piracy in the region, drawing attention to explosion of piracy along the east African coast and further examines the factors underpinning the outbreak of piracy in the region and highlights some efforts to curb the scourge. It argues that only an effective combination of counter piracy enforcement measures and robust policies designed to stabilize Somalia can effectively address the growing threat to merchant shipping in east African region.