Why is there so much piracy in Gulf of Guinea?
Why is there so much piracy in Gulf of Guinea?
Corruption. Findings from Nigeria have indicated corruption as a major cause of piracy, typically attributed to the weak legal and jurisdictional systems, law enforcement and the security apparatus of the nation. This lack of development is attributed to and identified in many of the Gulf of Guinea states.
Why piracy is a growing threat in West Africa Gulf of Guinea?
The potential for high profits—along with high unemployment along the coast, weak security and a lack of judicial enforcement of maritime laws in many West African countries—makes the Gulf of Guinea especially attractive for pirates and other criminals.
Which African countries have pirates?
Although most attacks in the region take place in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, there have also been attacks in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Togo, among others, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Is piracy still a problems for ships today?
By 2019, the International Maritime Bureau reported no successful hijackings in the Greater Gulf of Aden. Ship hijackings, the most severe and visible manifestation of sea piracy, also have declined since 2010.
Is piracy still happening today?
Today, the pirates can be seen very often in the South and Southeast Asia, the South America and South of Red Sea. They are still masked, dressed differently than the usual people and often very aggressive. There are two types of modern pirates’ existence: small-time pirates and organizations of pirates.
What country is the Gulf of Guinea in?
The Gulf of Guinea is the northeasternmost part of the tropical Atlantic Ocean from Cape Lopez in Gabon, north and west to Cape Palmas in Liberia. The intersection of the Equator and Prime Meridian (zero degrees latitude and longitude) is in the gulf….
| Gulf of Guinea | |
|---|---|
| River sources | Niger |
| Ocean/sea sources | Atlantic Ocean |
Why is it called the Gulf of Guinea?
Origin Of Name The Gulf of Guinea derives its appellation from the former names of the coasts of Africa. The south coast of West Africa located north of the Gulf of Guinea was historically called ‘Upper Guinea. ‘ The west coast of Southern Africa located to the east was historically called ‘Lower Guinea.
Are Somali pirates still active in 2020?
After years of focus on the Gulf of Aden near Somalia, piracy’s new hotspot has switched to the Gulf of Guinea on Africa’s west coast. In 2020, the area saw the highest-ever number of kidnapped crew, with 130 taken in 22 separate incidents. Overall, 2020 saw 195 recorded piracy attacks, up from 162 the previous year.
Why is piracy a problem in Africa?
Pirate attacks along the Horn of Africa have decreased since the international naval presence there was bolstered. In 2012, 35 ships were attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia, compared with 163 in 2009. In former piracy hotspots, locals are more concerned about fishing than capturing cargo ships.
What causes piracy in the Gulf of Guinea?
4. Causes of Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea There are many factors contributing to piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. These factors include “legal and jurisdictional weakness, favorable geography, conflict and disorder, underfunded law enforcement, inadequate security, permissive political environments, cultural acceptability, and promise of reward”.
Why is the Gulf of Guinea so important?
The sea basin is of geo-political and geo-economic importance for the transport of goods to and from central and southern Africa. Additionally, it is a choke point for the African energy trade, with intensive oil extraction in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.
How many people have been kidnapped in the Gulf of Guinea?
The total estimated cost in the area due to stolen goods, contracted maritime security, insurance has been $818.1 million. The International Maritime Bureau said that 130 seafarers were kidnapped in 22 separate incidents in the Gulf of Guinea in 2020, surpassing the 2019 record of 121 kidnappings.
How big is the Gulf of Guinea in miles?
The Gulf of Guinea stretches from Senegal to Angola, covering over 6,000 km of coast line. It comprises 20 coastal states, islands and landlocked states and forms two regions: West Africa and Central Africa. The sea basin is of geo-political and geo-economic importance for the transport of goods to and from central and southern Africa.