Comments on: Combating Somali piracy … Roman style

By: barry

barry — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:30:55 +0000

try starting here: (the link from barry’s previous comment)

read about how the Somalian fishing industry has been destroyed by international companies.

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+reasons+behind+piracy:+piracy+off+the+Somali+coast+has+been…-a0203770095

By: barry

barry — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:26:09 +0000

I’m amazed that people really think that the problem (and note: i recognise it as a problem!) of east african piracy will be solved by force, or some kind of military solution.

how many people are aware that the average income of a Somalian is 0.003% that of an average US citizen. But then we are surprised (even offended!) when we sail our ships full of gold past the horn of africa and some small-time pirates try and take a slice of the pie…

I think it’s short-sited to theorise from our comfortable and secure air-conditioned offices concerning symptoms of problems, without considering the deeply complex causes of those problems.

For instance, i think we need some high voltage research into how the Somalian fishing industry has been destroyed by international traulers…

try starting here…

So let’s dispense with crazy comments like putting ninja’s on board (or did i miss the joke) and start thinking about the underlying causes of problems like this.

to add weight to the debate, consider that while only 8 (per 1000) children die before the age of 5 in the US, 142 will die in Somalia in the same period. Is it any surprise that one Somalian woman when interviewed responded to questions about piracy by saying “at least our children are fed!”

By: Michael Boswell

Michael Boswell — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:46:27 +0000

Excellent opinions. Somalia appears only to matter to the rest of the world when pirates originating within it hijack ships, so long as they stay inside their hell hole of a country and don’t bother any of the rich folks boats they may continue to live lives of squalor, an epidemic you say? These are human beings, not some non-sentient plague visited upon mankind, have some sympathy for the plight of the Somali population who have endured ongoing warfare and drought and chaos for a rather long time. The Somali government is one of many groups controlling various territories within Somalia so I wouldn’t expect much help from them. Perhaps the world with it’s vast resources could spare a tiny portion of that to help stabilise Somalia perhaps a negotiation or two, maabe even some “boots on the ground” though I’m sure someone’ll scream “Black Hawk Down! We don’t need white boys dying in black mans war.Again” or somesuch stupidity. Also is no one asking how so many weapons manage to get into Somalia and where they’re coming from? I somehow have my doubts that any real constructive intervention is on the way from any rich parts of the world though, as that is far more difficult than killing a few poor people on rubber dingies.

By: japes

japes — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:08:22 +0000

Interesting Craig,

Do you think if there’s an oil spill off Soamalia someone’s government is going to clean it up? Doubtful.

By: Siyabonga Ntshingila

Siyabonga Ntshingila — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:20:02 +0000

If I remember correctly-the standing government in lesotho consented to us sending a force there.

Just like if the SAPS want to follow a stolen car across the border there are protocols that need to be followed.

Protocols are key.Doing things on an end justifies the means basis sets a very dangerous precedent.What happens if some terrorist bombs a US Embassy and hides out in SA? Should the US send its Marines over here without our consent?

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:01:34 +0000

@japes – privatising security assumes that private companies will pick up the bill and responsibility, which is why this is such a grey area. Companies will feel they deserve government protection, and as much as possible will avoid the cost of employing mercenaries to protect their cargos (as a simple example – what happens if your private army attacks pirates and an oil spill occurs in the process – are you liable?)

No – the only way this will be resolved is if there is a joint political agreement to squash the problem. With the Sirius Star hijacking the pirates have finally elevated this to a political level and in the process screwed themselves.

Also, insurance for sea-freight is probably now astronomical, which again will force companies to go to the government for a resolution.

By: japes

japes — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:27:58 +0000

Craig,

I’m not saying do nothing but with all the whining and squealing about the US in Iraq and other God foresaken places, the UN and AU being toothless; privatise security as we do in SA. If the mercenaries have to fly an attack helicopter into Somalia and take out a few pirates so be it – let them complain to the UN.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:24:25 +0000

To all those who advocate doing nothing – this is a world problem as it affects trade routes – it’s not about invading Somalia it’s about securing safe passage for goods and protecting the prices of those goods.

The consumers are in effect paying the ransoms.

By: GS van Zyl

GS van Zyl — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:34:38 +0000

Siyabonga

If you have a cattle farm, would you not expect action from your government if cross-border theft of cattle empties your kraal? It is indeed the responsibility of governments to protect the interests of its citizens, no matter where these interests reside in the world.

For instance South African troops invaded Lesotho on September 22 1998 to quell the rioting and maintain order. This was authorised by Madiba and the SADC. Lesotho was a soverign state – but that did not prevent South Africa for protecting its strategic assests in the country (Lesotho Highlands Water Project) by not allowing the country to decend into polical chaos.

There can be no justification for the Somali government not to act against their citizens for committing these crimes. Indeed the Somali government should start to act like a government or resign.

Any sovereign state has the resposibility to be at least a good neighbour.

By: Jean

Jean — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:05:20 +0000

Three cheers for the free men of the seas!! )