The fight against piracy in the gulf of Aden and western Indian ocean: an appraisal of emerging legal challenges

Abstract

Most of commerce that fuels the world economy is transported by sea and the oceans are a primary source of food and natural resources. Over the years, this commerce has been threatened by violent attacks against marine vessels carried out by attackers who prey on other vessels and rob them of their goods, injure passengers and crew and sometimes capture the vessels for their own reasons. The gravity of the threat against maritime security has led the international community to come together and develop international legislation on maritime piracy. This study seeks to critically examine the development of international law on piracy and its enforcement by maritime states with a specific focus on Kenya.