The Observer (Kampala)
Hassan Isilow
26 November 2008
opinion
The recent hijacking of a Ukrainian registered ship, loaded with heavy weaponry and the even more recent taking of a Saudi Oil Tanker fully laden with 2m barrels of crude oil off the Somali coast, has left many thinking: who do the Somali pirates work for?
The pirates have accused European firms of dumping toxic waste off the Somali coast and are demanding an $8m ransom for the return of the Ukrainian ship and about $25m for the Saudi tanker, saying the money will go towards cleaning up the waste.
The emergence of strong pirate activities started in Somalia in December 2006, after the transitional federal government of president Abdullahi Yusuf took control of the country from the Union of Islamic Courts. Since then, the country has gradually declined in terms of security and morality.
It should be noted that during the six-month rule of the Union of Islamic Courts, Somalia almost returned to order, with the Islamists enforcing strict sharia'h (Islamic) laws in the country. During this period, the Islamists attempted to establish a functional government that checked most crimes that had previously rocked the lawless country for 17 years.
Those found guilty of committing crimes such as, rape, murder, or even piracy would be executed by hanging. As a result of this, the rate of crime significantly reduced.
It was during this period that ordinary Somalis enjoyed basic services such as medical care, education and a free judicial system that was non-existent for the previous 17 years.
So who do the pirates work for?
There is considerable reason to believe that some pirates could be working for the transitional government, since it (government) has not expressed any disapproval of their practice even though it could know who the culprits are.
It's alleged that most pirates who operate along the port of Eyl, (a notorious hijacking point) come from the Majarteen clan from which the president of Somalia, Abdullahi Yusuf, comes. Why hasn't the president used his good contacts with the United States, Britain and several African countries fighting a proxy war on terrorism to flush out the pirates?
On the other hand, it's believed the pirates could be working to restore the country's environment, after reports that some European firms were responsible for dumping toxic wastes in the Somali waters.
To verify this claim, the United Nations envoy for Somalia Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, confirmed that the United Nations had reliable information implicating European and Asian companies in the dumping of toxic waste off the Somali coastline.
However, to the surprise of many, East African maritime authorities have continued to ignore calls by environmental organisations in Somalia over the abuse of the country's coastline.
Environmentalists believe the Somali coastline has been hugely destroyed as a result. Some have argued that the money the pirates demand is very little compared to the devastation that has been caused by the toxic waste, which includes nuclear waste.
Hassan Mwalim Hussein, a Somali environmentalist, says the world should be shocked at the systematic destruction of Somalia's coastline. He says during the 2004 Tsunami, he saw pieces of rusting containers of toxic waste floating on the shores of Puntland and Mogadishu.
"We are shocked by the way the Somali coastline has been destroyed and we want all those responsible to be brought to book for this devastation," Mr. Hassan told the BBC's Somali service.
He said that as a result of Somalia's extended civil war, several countries had taken advantage of the situation by freely dumping their toxic wastes in the country's waters without as much as a thought.
One is tempted to question the purpose of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), whether it is able to provide security beyond its military base located at Mogadishu Airport. Why can't AMISOM fight piracy? I believe the African mission in Somalia will be a success only if other African countries which pledged to contribute forces honour their pledges.
Hassan Isilow, The writer is a Ugandan Journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Read comments. Write your own.
Copyright © 2008 The Observer. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
1] How long will it be afore these pirates take to the high seas an' hijack passenger-liners? 2] What precautions are governments and shipowners taking to prevent 1] above? 3] How long afore "enterprising" suicidal groups such as the Taliban, bin Laden supporters and other idiots emulate and escalate these activities? Bite yer tongue! Ciao.
This post was deleted because it contravenes AllAfrica's commenting guidelines.
You are obviously not African. Plse keep your Islam and we keep our Africanism. i have never heard of any Islamic nation helping in ASfrica, so wots the big deal. Richer nations should not use wars in Africa to their advantage using it as dumping ground. We are a people with our own idendity and will never come to you rich nations impossing our values and cultures.in every continent there are thieves but its not right to say whole of Africa.
What is the difference between big thief and small one? The big thief they call Empire. While the small remain a thief because he has no power! Things are coming out! We know people who send their children to make check points, and if you get the power to remove that check point, then the problem are not those standing at the check point but those who sent them to install the check point. So you have to negotiate with the elder persons to have a way through that check point. If they see that you have more than theirs arm power then you will get yr way! Other wise they will fight against you. My point is every one who sets a check point in land there were always behind a warlord or group of persons or traders who will defend in case some one tries to heave up that check point!!! We know in land check points if you ride technical wagon you pay nothing to them! But if you ride humbooy or mini bus you have to pay ransom every check point. Look all the vessels which have been intercepted and paid ransom are not even one vessel of the super powers owners. Or have a flag of one the big super powers!!! They were having the privilege of passing the sea check point!!! We will see the end up of Somali piracy story!!!
We have ssen fisherman chasing other vessels not to be crossed their nets but not somali piracy going to 450 nautical miles south of mombasa!!! unbelievable!!!