GAO Finds More Action Needed to Counter Piracy off Horn of Africa
The Government Accountability Office has issued a report which finds that while the U.S. has made progress with international and industry partners in countering piracy off the Horn of Africa, more U.S. government and international partner actions are needed.
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Pirate Attacks Nearly Doubled from 2008-2009
The GAO states that Somali pirates operating off the Horn of Africa have attacked more than 450 ships and taken nearly 2,400 hostages since 2007. In addition, from 2008-2009, the pirates expanded their area of operations, almost doubling the number of reported attacks from 2008 to 2009.
U.S. Has Not Evaluated or Updated Its Action Plan Since Increase
Despite this increase in activity, the U.S. government has yet to evaluate the costs, benefits, or effectiveness of its efforts or update the 2008 Action Plan developed by the National Security Council to prevent, disrupt, and prosecute piracy off the Horn of Africa. In addition, the U.S has not implemented some key Action Plan practices for enhancing and sustaining inter-agency collaboration because the plan does not designate which agencies should lead or carry out most of the tasks.
GAO Recommends Updated Action Plan, Better Interagency Coordination
GAO recommends that the NSC reassess and update its Action Plan; identify metrics; assess the costs, benefits, and effectiveness of U.S. counter-piracy activities; and clarify agency roles and responsibilities. According to GAO, the NSC did not comment.