THE ISSUE OF PIRACY OFF THE COAST OF SOMALIA

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 73 rd (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 2 nd 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  ocal&a=2 ocal&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