What are the primary causes of piracy near Somalia?
For years, Somalis have lived in harsh conditions, facing abject poverty and widespread chaos. Of course, a few fortunate individuals have fled their homes to escape the ravages of civil war.
However, aside from a handful of journalists and international aid workers, little attention has been paid to what has happened in Somalia over the years. What are the root causes of extremism in Somalia? Poverty has long been linked to a vicious cycle of violence and chaos. These subtle factors make Somali waters one of the most vulnerable areas for piracy.
Tracing the Roots
Somalia’s population is primarily Sunni Muslim, those who have not fled to other countries also face poverty, chronic drought, desertification, and soil erosion. Many Somalis rely on herding for a meager living. However, natural disasters have destroyed large numbers of their livestock, leaving them destitute and without any alternative income to support their families. For the few who work in agriculture, crop yields have declined due to soil erosion, fertilizer shortages, and instability.
The income gap between the elite and the poor has widened dramatically. Despite boasting one of the world’s freest open market economies, with no central bank to control the money supply, set interest rates, or regulate inflation, Somalia remains politically unstable. Economic policies balance supply and demand. Those with abundant ideas and resources become successful entrepreneurs, earning tax-free profits, while the majority struggle to make ends meet. Remittances from the Somali diaspora and aid from international humanitarian organizations sustain the economy.
Somalia’s Coastline and Piracy
Somalia boasts Africa’s longest coastline, but for various reasons, Somalis have never fully exploited the potential of its ocean. Illegal foreign fishing vessels outnumber those that venture into the waters. These vessels deplete the fish stocks in these territorial waters and pollute them with nuclear and toxic waste. This ordeal has prompted Somalis to explore new ways to make a living. Former fishermen have teamed up with militias and unemployed youth to hijack ships and demand ransom. This marked the beginning of Somali piracy.
Using small boats and skiffs, they have terrorized the waters by hijacking cargo ships, kidnapping crew members, and holding them hostage for ransom. Armed militants hijack everything they encounter, including bulk carriers, cargo ships, and other vessels.
Somali pirates have turned this into a shrewd business, using modern technology and GPS devices to track their next prey. Since the 1990s, many ships transiting the region have begun arming themselves and hiring private security companies. Many shipping companies have also contracted with criminal gangs and pirates, further exacerbating the rampant Somali piracy in the Indian Ocean.
How Are Navigation Lights Maintained On A Ship?
Top 10 Flag States In Ship World
How Do Bow Thrusters Steer A Ship?
Measures to Combat Somali Piracy
East African waters have become extremely dangerous since Somali fishermen began forcibly seizing merchant ships. In 2008, these fishermen seized over 50 large vessels in the Gulf of Aden, a vital waterway connecting Europe and Asia and crucial to the global economy. According to the London-based International Maritime Bureau, approximately 10 piracy incidents were reported in the Gulf of Aden in 2013, and 28 in the Gulf of Guinea.
Since Operation Atalanta in 2008, pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa have decreased. Improved security agreements between countries like India and Russia, as well as the deployment of international warships, have also helped address the problem. NATO’s international naval force, the European Union Naval Force, and the US military have deployed numerous times when the piracy problem has intensified. However, the piracy problem has spread to the Gulf of Guinea, and the number of foreign vessels is increasing. Measures to combat Somali piracy
Somalia has made significant efforts to defeat the Al-Shabaab terrorist group through US airstrikes and the deployment of African Union military forces. Experts believe this has helped restore security in the war-torn country. In 2012, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) assisted Kenyan forces in seizing control of the port of Kismayo and arresting some Al-Shabaab terrorists. This decisive victory has reduced pirate incidents and activity, as well as attacks and armed robbery on the high seas.
Piracy off the coast of Somalia poses a significant threat to the world’s busiest shipping lanes. However, despite concerted efforts by major powers, the task remains daunting given Somalia’s vast and difficult-to-monitor territorial waters. This illustrates the limitations of conventional warfare in addressing the threats of this century.
Irresponsible Government, Neglected Population, and the Eradication of Piracy
Somalia has been without an effective central government for nearly two decades. The weak government is battling insurgents to defend the capital while simultaneously engaged in internal and foreign proxy wars. Somali pirates control the country’s most influential institutions and reinvest ransom money earned from kidnapping and piracy to plan their next operations. They effectively manipulate regional governments and offer unemployed Somali youth a glimmer of hope, offering them generous compensation to pursue piracy. Piracy activity in Somalia is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.
The international community bears a significant moral responsibility to find a lasting solution to the Somali piracy problem. Measures must be taken to restore the authority and credibility of the central government, and avenues must be explored to create alternative employment opportunities for young people through non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, and regional and local governments.
Coast Guard Employment
Somali pirates could be retrained, registered, and employed by the Coast Guard to protect Somali territorial waters from illegal foreign trawling. Other pirates could obtain fishing equipment and have access to markets to sell their catch. This would help increase income and prosperity for the local economy.
The root of the problem lies in Somalia’s dependence on foreign navies and international stability and financial assistance. Rebuilding a stable and accountable government is urgent.
If the root causes of piracy are not urgently addressed, Somalia will become a pirate state and an extremist state. Extremism cannot be eradicated through military force, but the hearts and minds of young people must be won through education, income generation, and social inclusion.
Piracy off the coast of Somalia no longer poses a threat to shipping
In August 2022, an industry group consisting of six international shipping organizations, including the International Chamber of Commerce, announced that piracy off the coast of Somalia no longer poses a threat to global shipping. This announcement is good news for all stakeholders, operators, and organizations that have been working to eliminate piracy for 15 years.
They also stated that the Indian Ocean will no longer be considered a high-risk area starting in early 2023, as no commercial vessels have been attacked by pirates in Somali waters since 2018.
FAQ
1. Are Somali waters currently safe for navigation?
Piracy was once a serious problem off Somalia. However, the industry organization recently announced that Somalia is no longer a high-risk area, as no ships have been attacked by pirates since 2018.
2. What has led to the increase in piracy off Somalia?
Since the 1990s, piracy has increased in Somalia due to a weak government, political instability, a lack of education, and inadequate public health measures. This has forced ordinary people, including unemployed youth and fishermen, to join criminal gangs and pirates to make a living.
3. Are Somali pirates still taking hostages?
International efforts have paid off, with Somali pirates releasing the last three of the 3,639 hostages they had held over the past five years.
4. Can cruise ships defend themselves against pirates?
Cruise ships have taken measures to protect themselves from pirate attacks. However, there have been only six reported pirate attacks on cruise ships in the past decade. To date, there have been no successful pirate attacks on cruise ships.
5. Why are ships ineffectively defended against piracy?
As their name suggests, merchant and cargo ships carry consumer goods. These vessels lack the necessary weaponry to defend themselves against pirate vessels equipped with modern weaponry. Anti-piracy strategies focus on preventing pirates from boarding the ship.
