Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has stated that the country requires international support to secure its 3,400-kilometer coastline, noting that the vastness of the coast, combined with the nation’s current security capacity, makes it impossible for Somalia to protect it alone.
In an interview with Sky News, the President explained that safeguarding Somalia’s coastline demands international cooperation and assistance, as the task exceeds the capabilities of any single nation.
Hassan Sheikh noted that Somalia has long struggled with large territories lacking effective government administration—a factor that has contributed to the country’s security challenges and enabled terrorist groups and pirates to operate within certain parts of the nation.
The President specifically addressed the resurgence of piracy off the Somali coast, observing that previous international efforts to tackle the problem focused primarily on containing attacks rather than eliminating the root causes. He stated that pirates do not live solely at sea; rather, they maintain bases and networks on land. Consequently, it is necessary to address the security and economic conditions prevailing in coastal areas.
Hassan Sheikh pointed out that strengthening the coast guard, ensuring security in coastal regions, and creating job opportunities for youth—as an alternative to their involvement in piracy—are essential for a sustainable solution.
He noted that poverty and a lack of opportunities are among the factors that drive some young people to join such activities, adding that many individuals have recently lost their lives during acts of piracy.
The President also mentioned that Somali nationals are currently being held in countries like India, having been accused of piracy after being captured while operating in the waters of other nations.
The remarks by the Somali President come at a time when pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia have resurfaced, raising concerns regarding commercial shipping and the security of maritime traffic in the region.
