African maritime security : a human security approach to maritime securitisation - the case for an alternative analytical framework

Abstract

African maritime security in practice, and academically, is gaining significant attention as an area of study. What is overwhelmingly clear is the growing importance of maritime security and its centrality in discourses of geopolitics, development, and human security. In recent years, there has been an observable trend of securitising maritime issues, chief among these has been piracy and armed robbery at sea. Yet, part and parcel of these securitising measures have been implications, often adverse, for the human security and livelihoods of ordinary people. The securitising moves enacted by state officials have in one way or another, disenfranchised and marginalised littoral communities and their needs be it their agency, dignity or livelihoods. Essentially, African communities have been robbed, undermined and subjected to strategies and policies imposed upon them, often without consultation. Arguably, the securitisation of maritime security issues is often done without much thought given to the potential consequences for human security. This study problematises this issue and proposes an alternative analytical framework, pertinent to address maritime insecurity in Africa. Owing to the link between maritime security and human security, approaches to address the former must take into consideration the latter. Where maritime securitisation is enacted, the principles of human security should inform the process. Therefore, this study posits the need for a human security approach to maritime securitisation. The potential merits of this approach are assessed in this study using notable empirical cases, namely those of piracy off the coast of Somalia and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Gulf of Guinea. Using these cases, the study first explores the manner in which securitisation measures were enacted by a range of actors, in order to ascertain the impact on human security conditions, and to critique the prevailing situation. Thereafter, the study applies the analytical framework developed in this study to the case of Somali piracy in Chapter Three and IUU fishing in Cameroon and Ghana in Chapter Four, to theorise an alternative outcome. This is done with the overarching aim of demonstrating the value and necessity of a human security approach to maritime securitisation toward enhancing non-state participation and agency among local communities, whilst building resilience.