A pirataria no Golfo da Guiné

: como precaver a intensificação do fenómeno da insegurança no Golfo da Guiné e reconduzir a região a uma situação de estabilidade e segurança?

Abstract

Africa is a continent of significant international importance because of its geopolitical interest, the relevance of its natural resources, and its historic link to Western countries. Its heterogeneity, ethnic and religious diversity and intense population growth have represented a panoply of challenges that challenge peace and sustainable development. Its history of conflicts, combined with the underdevelopment of some regions, poverty, corruption and organized crime represent the dramatic side of a continent in search of equilibrium and solutions.
Today, West Africa is seen as a high priority in the foreign policy of the great international actors, not only due to its natural resources but also the innumerable "non-governed spaces" to be found in the region.
In the globalized world, where much international trade is done by sea, the oceans are increasingly a key factor for development. The lack of political control in these areas makes them fertile for the growth of criminal activity and terrorism, as in the Gulf of Guinea.
The geopolitical and geo-economic importance of the West African region has thus drawn attention from the international community.
In recent years, the region has witnessed a gradual increase in piracy, which endangers important international shipping routes and the transport of oil in the region, threatening security and peace in the South Atlantic. Finding the reasons that lead to the practice of piracy is not easy, but for the sake of improved understanding it is essential to analyze the social, political, economic and security context of the main countries of this region.

Date of Award	23 Feb 2017
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	António Fontes Ramos (Supervisor)