Piracy Off The Horn of Africa: Why Does It Still Pose a Threat, Albeit Dormant?

Abstract

Even though numerous states and international organizations launched counter-piracy operations to Somalia and its surrounding maritime areas over the past 15 years, piracy remains and is regarded as a dormant threat, rather than a relatively neutralised one. Despite the international military and financial support to suppress piracy and strengthen regional states’ maritime capacity, why does Horn of Africa remain to be perceived as a treacherous zone? This article argues that the current legal counter-piracy regime spanning off the Horn of Africa set primarily by United Nations Security Council Resolutions is inexpedient due to its mandate being formulated for suppression rather than reduction of piracy off the Horn of Africa to healthy levels through constructive means. The article will analyse the reasons behind the regional instability and social-economic factors which nurture piracy, the instability’s effect as a legitimizing factor for international interventions, and the effects of this international presence on Somalia by analysing the legal framework used for counter-piracy measures and ventures of international actors present in the region. After this inquiry, the article will reflect upon the outcome of these measures and whether they succeeded in their efforts.

Keywords

• Maritime Piracy
• United Nations Security Council
• Counter-piracy Operations
• Public International Law
• Somalia
• International Law of the Sea

Afrika Boynuzu’nda Deniz Haydutluğu: Uykuda Da Olsa Neden Hala Bir Tehdit Teşkil Ediyor?

Abstract

Son 15 yılda çok sayıda devlet ve uluslararası organizasyon Somali ve çevresindeki deniz sahalarına deniz haydutluğuyla mücadele operasyonları düzenlemiş olmasına rağmen, deniz haydutluğu nispeten nötralize edilmiş bir tehditten ziyade uykuda olan bir tehdit olarak görülmekte ve varlığını sürdürmekte. Deniz haydutluğunu bastırmak ve bölge devletlerinin denizcilik kapasitesini güçlendirmek için verilen uluslararası askeri ve mali desteğe karşın, Afrika Boynuzu neden hala tehlikeli bir bölge olarak ele alınmaya devam ediyor? Bu makale, Afrika Boynuzu’nu kapsayan, esasen Birleşmiş Milletler Güvenlik Konseyi Kararları tarafından belirlenen mevcut yasal deniz haydutluğuyla mücadele rejiminin, Afrika Boynuzu’ndaki deniz haydutluğunun yapıcı önlemlere sağlıklı seviyelere indirilmesinden ziyade bastırılması için formüle edilmiş yetkilendirmesi nedeniyle temelden elverişsiz olduğunu savunmaktadır. Makale, deniz haydutluğunu besleyen bölgesel istikrarsızlığın ve sosyal-ekonomik etkenlerin ardındaki nedenleri, deniz haydutluğunun dış müdahaleleri meşrulaştırıcı bir unsur olarak rolünü ve bu dış güçlerin varlığının Somali üzerindeki etkilerini deniz haydutluğuyla mücadelenin yasal çerçevesini ve bölgede bulunan uluslararası aktörlerin girişimlerini analiz ederek inceleyecektir. Bu incelemenin ardından, makale bu mücadele tedbirlerinin sonuçlarını ve başarıya ulaşıp ulaşmadığını değerlendirecektir.

Keywords

• Deniz Haydutluğu
• Birleşmiş Milletler Güvenlik Konseyi
• Deniz Haydutluğuyla Mücadele Operasyonları
• Uluslararası Kamu Hukuku
• Somali
• Uluslararası Deniz Hukuku

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