The European Union’s Integrated Approach Against Piracy in the Horn of Africa
Somali-based piracy is a complex issue that can only ultimately be overcome by combining political and diplomatic efforts with military and legal action, development assistance and strong international co-ordination. With all these tools at its disposal, the EU is in a unique position to contribute to international efforts.
EU NAVFOR is one part of the EU Integrated Approach, tackling both current symptoms and root causes of the problem. To that end, other CSDP Missions in region include:
EUCAP Somalia:
EUCAP Somalia is a civilian mission augmented with military expertise designed to support regional maritime capacity-building.
EU Training Mission Somalia
The EU Training Mission – Somalia (EUTM Somalia) is an EU military training mission which aims to strengthen the Somali National Government (SNG) and the institutions of Somalia, by providing military training to members of the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF).
Together, EU NAVFOR, EUCAP Nestor and EUTM form a coherent, integrated CSDP package supporting the EU’s Strategic Framework for the Horn of Africa.
Strategic Framework
The EU’s multi-facetted engagement in the Horn of Africa is guided by its “Strategic Framework for the Horn of Africa”. This defines five priorities for EU action:
- Building robust and accountable political structures
- Contributing to conflict resolution and prevention
- Mitigating security threats emanating from the region
- Promoting economic growth
- And supporting regional economic co-operation
To co-ordinate these efforts, the EU appointed a Special Representative to the Horn of Africa on 1 January 2012. He was tasked to focus on Somalia and the regional dimensions of instability in the country, as well as on piracy, which has its root causes in the instability of Somalia.