PIRACY AND MARITIME SECURITY IN THE GULF OF GUINEA: SECURITY GOVERNANCE QUESTION

Abstract

Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea poses a significant threat to international shipping, regional security, and economic development. This region, stretching along the West African coast from Senegal to Angola, has become a global piracy hotspot, accounting for the majority of crew kidnappings and vessel hijackings worldwide. The persistence of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea is driven by a combination of factors, including economic hardship, weak governance, inadequate maritime security infrastructure, and transnational criminal networks, impeding global trade, regional economies, and the safety of seafarers. Piracy also exacerbates insecurity and undermines regional development by deterring foreign investment and straining the resources of affected states. Despite international and regional efforts, such as the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, piracy remains a persistent challenge due to fragmented coordination, insufficient naval capacity, and weak legal frameworks. This paper explores the issues and problems surrounding piracy in the Gulf of Guinea while proposing viable solutions. The paper is qualitative, and employs the routine activity theory as its theoretical framework. This paper concludes that piracy in the Gulf of Guinea represents a complex problem rooted in economic deprivation, weak governance, and transnational crime. The paper recommends improved maritime security, regional cooperation and tackling the socio-economic conditions that enable piracy to thrive.