Somalia and the Pirates
François Heisbourg, Special Adviser, Foundation for Strategic Research, Paris, Chairman, GCSP Foundation Council, Geneva
- Professor Steven Haines, Geneva Centre for Security Policy
- Rob de Wijk, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies
- Jonathan Stevenson, US Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
- • David Anderson, Professor of African Politics, University of Oxford
- Claude-France Arnould, Director, Defence Aspects, Council of the European Union
- Jeremy Lester, Head of Somalia Unit, European Commission
CEPS Conference Room
1, Place du Congrès - 1000 Brussels
33rd session of the CEPS/IISS/DCAF/GCSP European Security Forum.
This seminar assembles remarkable expertise on the multi-faceted drama of Somalia, which is currently ranked in international surveys as the ultimate ‘failed state’ in the world. Professor Anderson will present the historical backdrop to the present drama, retracing centuries of piracy. Jonathan Stevenson will be analysing evidence of infiltration of Al Qaida into Somalia as a base. Rob de Wijk will be analysing the incidence and modes of piracy currently observed. Professor Haines will be presenting an account of naval-legal aspects of counter-piracy actions and in particular an account of the EU’s Atalanta counter-piracy mission. As discussants Claude-France Arnould from the Council Secretariat has responsibility for the Atalanta mission, which seems tom be getting good reviews, and Jeremy Lester will be giving an account of the Commission’s on-land operations in the failed state.