Combating Piracy around the Horn of Africa

The issue of maritime security and the widespread threats to shipping in the area around the Horn of Africa has received a little less media attention in recent times due to the events in the Arab world since the beginning of 2011. But this region of East Africa continues to be important because of the ongoing catastrophic drought and the recent abductions in Kenya by Somali militias. Despite international efforts to combat their activities, Somali pirates have actually extended their operating range in the region.