Maritime Border Management and Challenges in Western Indian Ocean (Wio)

Abstract

Unsettled maritime boundaries can hinder economic exploitation of offshore resources and complicate the management of maritime borders. They thwart states from getting on path of prosperity and progress. This article explores factors which when taken together makes most likelihood of effective border management in WIO. It uses descriptive-analytical method of qualitative research to conduct retrospective analysis. The paper highlights key factors concerning WIO’s border management in terms of theoretical subjects. Findings revealed 14 main factors which make most likelihood of effective border management in WIO. In terms of the importance of the components, the greatest scale corresponds to the political dimension, and among the factors is the foreign policy of WIO states. Geopolitical, geostrategic, and topographical realities all have a significant impact on the efficient administration of maritime boundaries. To make matters worse, WIO's geostrategic location has the greatest intervening influence on states. The paper concludes that as per guidance of UN collective security patrols, forces had to be raised in CTF model. The punch line is that no country could be a ‘Net Security Provider’ in IO region.