THE ISSUE OF PIRACY OFF THE COAST OF SOMALIAEthiopia’s Stand

Ethiopia’s Profile

The economy of Ethiopia is based on agriculture, which accounts for 46.3% of gross domestic product (GDP), 60% of exports, and 80% of total employment

Ethiopia has a GDP ranking of 73rd (2005)

Ethiopia is landlocked and does not engage in maritime industry

Port facilities provided by Somaliland secessionists

Terrorism in Ethiopia is mainly by Somali terrorist group, Al-Shabaab, main targets of Al-Shabaab

Ties with Somalia

Territorial disputes over Ogaden In opposition of Transitional National Government

in the past Allies with Transitional National Government

currently, in opposition of the Islamic Court Union As of 2007, Ethiopia houses 16,576 refugees from

Somalia At constant tension with Somalia Sent troops into Somalia to free them of Islamists

Situation Analysis

Somalia Piracy

Lack of good

goverment

Illegal fishing

Illegal waste disposal

Depletion in marine life

Fisherman not a viable

job

Weapon Funding by

Yemen

Turning to Piracy

Al-Shabaab implication

Situation Analysis

Illegal Fishing Foreign trawlers illegally fishing in Somalia’s sea

has caused an estimate of $300million worth of shrimp and tuna to be taken each year

Somalia’s Labour force Somalia’s workforce are mainly fishermen Due to the increase in illegal fishing Decrease in marine life Therefore, fisherman is not a viable job Resulting in fishermen turning to piracy

Situation Analysis

Illegal Waste Disposal Sudden surge in waste disposal into coastal

waters Waste consist of nuclear and industrial

wastes Unable to pinpoint cause

Causes Depletion in Marine life Resulting in more fishermen turning to

piracy

Situation Analysis

Inadequacy of Government Inconsistent legal system – Somalia

remains a lawless nation A mixture of English, Italian, Islamic Sharia and

Somali Customary Law Lack of national system

Assassination of 2nd President in 1969 Somalia currently has no stable

government and many of the areas of the country continue to be under self-rule with control held by local leaders

Status Analysis

Inadequacy of Government People comprise of nomads and refugees A significant number of ethnic and

economic minority groups The former British Somaliland has

proclaimed itself independent and elected its own president No proper government, division of areas

within a state to be self-ruled

Situation Analysis

Al Shabaab Terrorist from Somalia

Pirates off the coast of Somalia consist of terrorist from Al-Shabaab

Ethiopia under strong oppostion from Al-Shabaab, leading to terrorist attacks on Ethiopia from Al-Shabaab

Situation Analysis

Weaponry Funding Main Source: Yemen

SANA'A, Dec. 27— A UN investigation found Yemen is the primary source of arms and ammunition Yemen government unable to stem the large scale of

weaponry trafficking is an obstacle to the restoring of peace and security in Somalia

http://www.yementimes.com/DefaultDET.aspx?i=1220&p=local&a=2

No direct actions taken on Yemen to prevent trafficking on Weaponry

Ethiopia’s Stand

Ethiopia is a direct neighbour of Somalia We do not require maritime trade or access to

ports through Somalia Terrorist from Somalia (Al-Shabaab) at constant

opposition with Ethiopia Not very friendly ties with Somalia Ethiopia has sent troops into Somalia to deal with

Islamists before Ethiopia has troops in Somalia We are capable of handling the issue of Somalia

piracy on our own and do not require external help