Seawolves of East Africa - the heyday of Somali pirates

Abstract

Following the collapse of Somalia and the complete absence of a functioning government and justice system, the number of pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa has increased significantly. Due to numerous successful attacks in the past two years, the amount of ransom paid to pirates has risen considerably. The pirates have become emboldened and increasingly aggressive, and the issue is reported in the news almost weekly. Often, external observers are faced with contradictory information, making it difficult to gain a clear understanding of the situation.
This article presents the history of Somali piracy, the various fronts of the fight against it, its impact on the countries of the region, and its effects on the global economy.