On 2 Dec, the UNSC passed Resolution 1846. What that means, in a nutshell, is that for the next year, forces may enter Somalia’s territorial waters and use “all necessary means” to fight piracy.
Does this mean that the kid gloves are off?
I don’t think so, for while this effectively gives the players carte blanche to enter Somalia waters, it does not answer what happens after that. Supposing that some pirates are caught; what then? Are they to be extradited to Somalia to face trial? Charged with armed robbery in accordance to the State who made the arrests? Do the navies even possess such law enforcement powers in the first place? More likely, we would see a repeat of the previous incident where captured suspected pirates were released unharmed. Not to mention the ruckus that would probably arise if the pirates were killed in the fight (Amnesty International, anyone?)
Weighty things to think about. And more to be done about the business.
:Links:
+UNSC 1846
+What a Cooperative Maritime Strategy looks like
+Pirates Release on Beach
