The chinese are involved in the msision too, can't remeber to what degree or on what terms, but i think i remember reading they have at least 1 ship on patrol off the horn.

And I'm afraid I did scoff at "US losing influence in the Horn", this is just about the only thing the EU could legitimately do as body -protect direct economic interests. The US is very much present in the horn and has enough strong local proxies not to have to worry about having boots on the ground, or so to speak.

...Unless of course you mean actually doing something about Somalia, but that's a whole different kettle of fish (while we're on the nautical theme) which "Black-Hawk down" explains in graphic manner.