Advancing Security in East Africa Coastal Region Through Maritime Strategy: Case of Kenya

Abstract

There exist multilateral initiatives on maritime security in place of which the UNSC; the European Union; the G8 Associates of the Gulf of Guinea Marine Experts Group; Interpol; the Atlantic Initiative and the African Union 2050 AIM Strategy are adopting. The fact ought to be made that definite activities have been taken at the state, regional, and international echelons in undertaking measures on marine safety challenges (African Union, 2009). Thus, there is need to place in African and sub-regional approaches for the protection of brinies and oceans, for armistice, stability and security for African marine space to be the key influence for sustainable development economically. There is necessity to encourage regional collaboration and raise mindfulness of key seafaring safety challenges transversely in Africa and proceed actions to combat the contests. The poor execution at national level on legitimate provisions scours off at the regional nonexistence of an integral framework to discourse marine safety contests. This gap is somewhat because of the failure and disinclination of discrete African Countries to bring under control international maritime security accords to which they willingly consented to. Countries should complement their state legislations to reinforce regional ability to engross with marine security contests. Several establishments have supported African States in tackling maritime security challenges. The African Countries should upsurge to address the legislation and policy fissure in maritime security. Countries in the region should work to consolidate discrete and collective strategies on marine security in reference to document framework, similar to a maritime security blue print. Maritime safety has no commonly accepted connotation, but it refers to fears such as inter-state maritime disagreements, piracy, marine terrorism, narcotics trading, proliferation of individuals, unlawful goods and arms, environmental crimes, illegitimate fishing, marine disasters and accidents. Two key areas are involved in the issue of marine security: maritime security and development for regional and intercontinental cooperation. Commending determinations like the Codes of Conduct for Djibouti and Gulf of Guinea, though calling for African States commit resources in combating profusely maritime threats. The case of AIM 2050 strategy offers a general understanding of marine safety encompassing the social, commercial, and environmental and safety scopes.