The European Union (EU) has expressed grave concern over the future of anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia, following a decision by the federal government to end them.
These operations include Operation Atalanta, also known as EU NAVFOR Somalia, the US-led Joint Task Force in the Horn of Africa and NATO Operation Shield.
The United Nations Security Council on December 2021 has extended the anti-piracy operation in Somalia by three months, ending in March 2022, to end hostage attacks on commercial and tourist vessels.
EU officials say the three-month extension is not enough to stabilize the region, accusing the Somali federal government of not being committed to continuing international naval operations.
They also argue that an increase in the number of naval patrols in Somalia would undermine EU NAVFOR’s ability to fight piracy in the region.
It is believed that the shortening of the anti-piracy operation is due to the decline in Somali pirate attacks.
The short-term extension is meant to assess the situation in Somalia, which is linked to the protection of the eastern part of the country by the pirates, who are opposed to the EU plan.
However, the European Union argues that the extension of the operation is not enough to stabilize the region, although there have been reports of decreased piracy attacks in Somalia.
