Somalia has been unstable since the collapse of dictator Siad Barre's regime in 1991, which led to civil war and the disintegration of the central government. While the northern region of Somaliland and northeastern Puntland have established some stability and governance, piracy has spread throughout Somalia's coastline in the absence of law enforcement. Pirate attacks are both a consequence of the country's failed state status as well as a cause of increased shipping costs globally.

1. Somalia: a failed state?

3. Somalia
• Independent since 1960, after the union of
former Italian and British colonies
• Ruled since 1969 by dictator Siad Barre
• Disintegrated into civil war after the collapse
of the Barre regime 1991

4. UN intervention in Somalia
• In December 1992, Security Council Resolution 794
authorised a Unified Task Force to provide security and
humanitarian intervention in Somalia (a broader
interpretation of Chapter VII)
• Between 1993 and 1994, the UN force (UNOSOM II)
operated in the south of Somalia
• In 1993, 18 US troops were killed in clashes with forces
loyal to a local warlord, General Aidid (the Battle of
Mogadishu)
• The casualties led to the withdrawal of the UN force
and destroyed US enthusiasm for foreign intervention

5. Somaliland: northern stability
• Formerly a British colony, Somaliland was
independent for five days before deciding to
join the rest of Somalia in 1960
• Somaliland declared its independence in May
1991, after the collapse of the Somali
government
• Somaliland is stable and relatively prosperous,
but the world does not recognise it as in
independent state

6. Puntland
• Puntland, in northeastern Somalia, was set up
in 1998 by local leaders who wanted stability
• Based on a confederation of local clans,
Puntland regards itself as an autonomous
federal state within Somalia
• Puntland is able to provide basic government
services, but it is far less stable than
neighbouring Somaliland

7. The spread of Somali pirate attacks

8. The causes of Somali piracy
• The breakdown of central authority in Somalia in
1991 means there is no policing of Somali waters
• Illegal fishing boats take advantage of the
absence of a Somali coastguard
• Competing Somali authorities have made the
problem worse by issuing too many fishing
licences
• The collapse of traditional fishing and other
forms of economic activity encouraged a growth
of piracy as a business

9. The cost of piracy
• Somali piracy has meant increasing insurance
costs for the international shipping industry,
leading to higher prices for all goods shipped
through high-risk regions
• Every consumer pays for these costs indirectly
• Some crew members have died as a result of
pirate attacks

10. The cost of piracy
• Somali piracy has meant increasing insurance
costs for the international shipping industry,
leading to higher prices for all goods shipped
through high-risk regions
• Every consumer pays for these costs indirectly
• Some crew members have died as a result of
pirate attacks