How Will the Anti-Piracy Campaign Affect State-Building in Puntland?
Will the foregoing measures be effective and will they contribute to the strengthening of Puntland as a state? There are many reasons for worry. Now that the immense profitability of Somali piracy has been demonstrated, it is attracting many actors who would like to benefit from it. The extent of the waters in which the piracy is now taking place and the length of the Puntland coast from which it originates make it very unlikely that Puntland will be able to create a coast guard large enough to stop it by itself, even with a good deal of international aid. And since the organisers of piracy are now among the wealthiest and most powerful people in Puntland, attempts by Puntland to arrest and imprison the leaders are likely to be very difficult or impossible and could threaten the strength of the state. (Only one of those currently being held in prison Boyaah — was an organiser of piracy and his operations were in decline. See also Abdulahi, A. ‘Booyah’ 2008, Thus the existing prisoners
