Somalia is located on the tip of what is called the Horn of Africa at the east end of the continent. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Aden, to the east by the Indian Ocean, to the west by Kenya and Ethiopia, and to the northwest by Djibouti. The coast line of Somalia measures 3,200 kilometers. Since 1991, when the previous Somali government was overthrown, the country has experienced the turmoil of a war between different parties, tribes, and militant forces. This chaos and disorder provides opportunities for pirates who are confident they will not be punished for their crimes.

In recent years, the number of Somali pirates has grown rapidly, from below 100 five or six years ago to between 1,100 and 1,200 now. Ships transiting the Gulf of Aden via Somali waters are often attacked or hijacked by the pirates. Somali piracy has now become a major threat to international shipping and maritime safety.

According to statistics from the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO), there were more than 120 maritime robberies in Somali territorial waters in 2008, with over 30 ships hijacked and more than 600 crew members kidnapped. On September 25 Somali pirates hijacked a Ukrainian cargo ship carrying military hardware, including 33 full-battle tanks; on November 15, Somali pirates hijacked a Saudi Arabian-owned oil tanker, the 330-meter-long "Sirius Star", the largest vessel ever hijacked; on December 17, the Chinese cargo ship "Zhenhua 4" was attacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. These pirates were forced to withdraw and the 30 Chinese crew members escaped successfully with the help of a multi-coalition force. At this time Somali pirates still hold more than 10 ships and some 200 hostages.

To protect global shipping, offshore trade and staff safety, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1816 last June. The Resolution authorized foreign troops to enter Somali territorial waters to crack down on piracy and armed robbery with the approval of the Somali government. The authorization would be valid for six months. Later, the Security Council passed Resolutions1838, 1846 and 1851, calling on countries with an active interest in maritime security to participate in a crackdown on piracy. Security Council Resolution 1851, passed on December, 16 2008, authorized relevant countries and international organizations to: "adopt all necessary measures to stop the piracy and marine armed robbery" in Somalia. The Somali transitional federal government also appealed to other countries to enter its territorial waters to strike at pirates.

Currently, the European Union, the United States, Russia and India have sent naval vessels to patrol in the Gulf of Aden. The Chinese naval fleet has also carried out several escort missions against pirates. However, in addition to naval patrols and strikes against piracy, the international community must help Somalia to restore order as soon as possible, and promote peace and stability in the country.

(China Development Gateway January 16, 2009)