Combating piracy off the Horn of Africa : a multidimensional analysis of the contact group on piracy off the coast of Somalia

Abstract

As the scourge of maritime piracy manifested itself in the mid-2000s off the Horn of Africa, the international community demanded a viable response. The Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia was formed in 2008 in direct response to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1851. Through its five subsequent Working Groups, the CGPCS addressed various facets of counterpiracy operations with collaboration from an array of both public and private stakeholders. The goal of this study is to analyze the multidimensional nature of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. This policy analysis applies the logic model and its subsequent evaluation method in order to examine various decisions and milestones of the CGPCS, revealing their efficacy. Additionally, I apply a comprehensive SWOT analysis summarizing various internal strengths and weaknesses of the CGPCS, along with its external opportunities and threats. In conclusion, this thesis provides both a descriptive and analytical understanding of the CGPCS while highlighting its evolution in the context of multidimensional transnational intervention strategies.