MOGADISHU — Security analysts have warned that the recent surge in piracy incidents along Somalia’s coastline may be part of a broader geopolitical plan involving foreign powers and Somali intermediaries, rather than isolated criminal acts.
By HAN News Desk
According to regional security observers, the renewed focus on piracy is being used as a pretext by certain countries seeking greater control over strategic maritime routes in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean.
“This is not merely about piracy,” said one security expert who requested anonymity for safety reasons. “It is a long-term strategy by states that want access to Somali waters, using the excuse of improving maritime security or contributing to a so-called ‘Red Sea security architecture.’”
The analysts argue that some nations may be using the piracy threat to justify naval deployment or political influence in the region. They suggest the move could undermine Somalia’s sovereignty over its maritime resources.
They further claim that one of the key objectives behind these operations is linked to Ethiopia’s growing economic reliance on maritime trade routes, with fears that exaggerated reports of piracy could be used to threaten or manipulate shipping corridors serving Ethiopia.
“Some of these acts are being framed as a risk to international trade and shipping, but in reality, they could serve to put pressure on regional economies—especially Ethiopia’s maritime access,” another security expert said.
Sources close to Somali intelligence allege that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may be playing a role in these developments, though these claims remain unverified. The UAE has previously been accused by Somali officials of pursuing interests in Somalia’s ports and coastal areas.
The controversy comes just days after Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki publicly urged the Somali federal government to protect its territorial waters from potential encroachment by Ethiopia, following reports that Addis Ababa is seeking greater maritime access through Somali territory.
Somalia’s federal authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the alleged foreign involvement or the reported increase in piracy activities. However, the issue has once again drawn attention to the complex geopolitical tensions surrounding the Horn of Africa and the strategic waterways that connect Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
