Page 137 - Conflitti Militari e Popolazioni Civili - Tomo II

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aCta
The origins and effect of maritime insecurity
on Somalia

ThEAN PoTGIETEr

introduction
The sea is an important trade highway as more than 80% of the international trade transit
the oceans of the world, while around half of the daily international oil supply passes through
a few straits, or choke points. It also provides us with rich natural resources, both in protein
and in energy. When maritime security is lacking, it poses a significant threat to international
shipping, while at the same time threatening the rich marine resources which could contrib-
ute much towards sustainable development.
The Horn of Africa is a choke point, as the internationally important and busy maritime
trade routes around it link the Indian Ocean to the Suez Canal. Due to the dire security
situation in Somalia and along its coast, maritime traffic is threatened and foreign warships
patrol these waters. However, the lack of maritime security has a real impact on economic
development, regional security, the humanitarian situation and stability of the entire region.
Somalia is one of the cases where instability ashore has affected security in the maritime
domain. Also, as the dire security situation in the maritime domain also threatens proper law
and order, at sea and ashore; jeopardises the return to a normalised society; inhibits economic
growth and development; has a negative effect on society and has dire consequences from a
humanitarian point of view.
This paper is concerned with the origins and effect of maritime insecurity on Somalia.
Following a few brusque remarks on the causes of the maritime security problems in the
region, its effect as well as some responses will be discussed.

origins of the maritime security probLems
The Horn of Africa region as countries in the region was ravaged by conflict. Ethiopia ex-
perienced a civil war and was engaged in conflicts with eritrea and Somalia. Sudan was torn
apart by a civil war and Somalia was ravaged by clan warfare. The Cold War interests of the
major powers initially added to the turbulence, but these conflicts soon became interrelated,
with factions in various countries obtaining and providing support across national borders.
Djibouti, bordering Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, is strategically located on the busy
shipping lane through the Bab al Mandeb Strait (linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden),
and is as a transshipment location for imports and exports of the east African highlands.
Djibouti has close ties with France and provides support facilities to the USA. Currently
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA, with more than 1800 US military
personnel) operates from Djibouti.
Somali has been in disorder for the best part of two decades. President, Siad Barre, a
former Major General and Deputy Commander of the Somali Army, took control of the
country after a military coup in 1969. Barre declared Somalia a socialist state in 1970 and