Maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea

Maritime insecurity incorporates a range of criminal activities, including piracy, smuggling and illegal fishing.
The Gulf of Guinea has recently surpassed the more infamous Gulf of Aden as the epicentre of maritime insecurity.
It is likely that the United States will increase its naval presence in the Gulf of Guinea during 2014.
It is likely that the EU will also participate in an international intervention in the region, though this could possibly be stalled.
It is likely that the international community will push West African countries to legislate for the deployment of armed security guards on their vessels and agree to greater inter-state collaboration.
The potential conflict of interests between the international community and shipping companies over armed guards and/or external intervention will likely force a consensus approach that will possibly fail to address the root of the problem.
It is highly likely that the above moves will lead to a temporary increase in violence in the region.
As such, maritime insecurity in the region is likely to increase throughout 2014, and Benin, Togo and Guinea-Bissau, in particular, are likely to witness an increase in criminal activities across their territorial waters.