“These challenges pose a direct risk to international peace and security, endanger the lives of seafarers, and disrupting trade routes that many countries rely on for economic stability, food security, and sustainable development,” Ms. Waly warned.
A complicated crisis
Improving the rule of law – important for any government – becomes even more crucial in a country confronting terrorism, organized crime, and corruption, which is why Somalia and UNODC have been working together to establish the Mogadishu Prison Court Complex (MPCC).Pirates, sensing the international community’s diverted attention, have increased operations with increased impunity along the Somali coast. Since November 2023, pirates have hijacked dhows (a traditional sailing boat used in the region) and used the boats to carry out command-and-control attacks against larger vessels.
At the same time, unregulated foreign fishing fleets are exploiting Somalia’s marine resources, threatening biodiversity and livelihoods in the Indian Ocean.
These threats also have an impact far beyond Somalia. Firearms trafficking across the Gulf of Aden supplies Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups, while migrant smugglers operating along Somalia’s northern coast transfer people towards the Arabian Peninsula.
Mogadishu coast, Somalia.UNODC/Jeremy Douglas
