Piracy has unfortunately been a prevalent issue on the seas of eastern Africa for the last two decades. Currently, eighty percent of east African piracy is contained to the Somali coast. With Somalia’s civil war of 1991 preventing the funding of the coast guard, tensions are rising even higher between pirates and African militaries. The issue must be resolved with haste, with costs estimated at exceeding seven billion United States dollars a year. However, as an older issue, east African governments have not paid much attention to the subject. Nevertheless, the threat of piracy is increasing and it would be favourable to solve this issue as soon as possible.
Over the next three days, the African Union will be holding multiple debate sessions to proceed with developing long and short term solutions that appease all AU members. As only a small time has elapsed for this session, possible solutions to piracy in eastern Africa are illusory and only assumptions can be articulated at the moment.
As of Friday 10:09 PM, debate is slow with no distinct long term solutions for“a catastrophic era of maritime travel” (Delegation of Somalia). Frustration is mounting as the delegation of Chad is inquiring what the “other delegates are smoking”. However, it is evident certain nations have much more determined efforts on freeing Africa’s east coast than others. The delegation of South Africa is extremely in favour of naval involvement due to it’s current administration. Somalia, as well as Zimbabwe’s representation are producing similar concepts and it would not be unlikely for these three delegations to sponsor a resolution as committee session progresses. The strength of long versus short term solutions has played a strong role in the flow of debate resulting in a stalemate. Currently the delegation of Congo, has an odd sense of involvement contrary to it’s past engagement to the crisis due to “an increasing globalization of the world, it only seems favourable for us to assist our neighbours” (Delegation of Congo). It would be appropriate for this delegate to look towards the representation of Rwanda, or Senegal as they share similar ideals.
Overall, “debate is stagnant” (delegation of Djibouti) and agreement toward a possible solution should continue into the next set of debate sessions. The African Union is looking to restore the maritime economy within the next decade.
Over the next three days, the African Union will be holding multiple debate sessions to proceed with developing long and short term solutions that appease all AU members. As only a small time has elapsed for this session, possible solutions to piracy in eastern Africa are illusory and only assumptions can be articulated at the moment.
As of Friday 10:09 PM, debate is slow with no distinct long term solutions for“a catastrophic era of maritime travel” (Delegation of Somalia). Frustration is mounting as the delegation of Chad is inquiring what the “other delegates are smoking”. However, it is evident certain nations have much more determined efforts on freeing Africa’s east coast than others. The delegation of South Africa is extremely in favour of naval involvement due to it’s current administration. Somalia, as well as Zimbabwe’s representation are producing similar concepts and it would not be unlikely for these three delegations to sponsor a resolution as committee session progresses. The strength of long versus short term solutions has played a strong role in the flow of debate resulting in a stalemate. Currently the delegation of Congo, has an odd sense of involvement contrary to it’s past engagement to the crisis due to “an increasing globalization of the world, it only seems favourable for us to assist our neighbours” (Delegation of Congo). It would be appropriate for this delegate to look towards the representation of Rwanda, or Senegal as they share similar ideals.
Overall, “debate is stagnant” (delegation of Djibouti) and agreement toward a possible solution should continue into the next set of debate sessions. The African Union is looking to restore the maritime economy within the next decade.