Somalia’s ‘sea bandits’ are already raking it in – they’ve made an estimated $150 million over the past 12 months, making piracy by far the most profitable profession in the land. It’s no wonder that so many people living in Somalia are tempted. The pirates are living it up. It’s all very intriguing. But journalists who’ve attempted to enter their ‘lairs’ have not fared well. Still, I’m very curious to see what they’re like – especially Harardhere. Hopefully someone can get in (and out) sometime soon.
It must be like something out of a movie. Imagine a place swarming with modern day pirates who provide enough loot to effectively run a thriving city. As one local resident puts it:
“They have money; they have power and they are getting stronger by the day. They wed the most beautiful girls; they are building big houses; they have new cars, new guns… They have become fashionable.”
Forget peer pressure – let’s be real. If I was living in Somalia (especially in Puntland), chances are I’d be a pirate; it’s not like there are too many other options.
Until their respective ransoms are paid, at least a dozen ships are still marooned in Harardhere or other ports, many of them taken after the Sirius Star. Crew members appear to be treated relatively well… I don’t remember hearing reports of any being hurt once they’ve been taken over. Strangely, the pirates don’t seem to be interested in the cargo, even when it is something that could be of use to them. All they care about is money, and they are getting a lot of it. It’s a relatively simple way to make money: take over a vessel, hold it for ransom, collect the money and move on; repeat.
Shippers and insurers had gotten complacent but that is likely to change. Many have already begun to alter their business procedures and shipping routes. They will be forced to spend more, and I would not be surprised if the pirates eventually adapt to their new methods. They may as well hire security firms and prepare for battle – at least that way, we’ll have some exciting news. Without hired help, these ships are forced to rely on trigger-happy naval crews. If ship owners want to protect their vessels, they need to take up that responsibility themselves.
The UN has increased sanctions on Somalia. In an ideal world that might make sense, but the government there is powerless in the face of the pirates (some officials must be sharing the profits). However, there are some in Somalia who say they may do something. The Islamic Courts Union (in power until the US saw to their demise) condemned the seizure of the Muslim-owned Sirius Star. I guess they’re willing to step in for the Ummah… at least it’s a start. Then again, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the groups wreaking havoc in Mogadishu are connected somehow to the pirates. It’s a messy situation and Somalia is not an easy place to understand – shifty alliances and constant tension. The rampant crime on land and sea is only a consequence of the abounding chaos.
Hopefully things can improve for Somalia. The people there deserve more than piracy, extremism, and war. But in the meantime, can we please get a good 21st century pirate movie?!
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- The Dusty Jewel of the Gulf
Great Post Kalash! I too have been morbidly fascinated by piracy. It is worth pointing out that some of the most famous pirates of the past were from the Barbary States (N. Africa) and off the Arabian Peninsula. I have been trying to figure out what Arrrrrabic sounds like in pirate speak.
Of course, in a lot of situations piracy (like terrorism) is in the eye of the beholder. A lot of the E. Africa piracy got started when locals were trying to protect their legal fishing rights.
BTW, I just saw a report that the feared Indian navy sunk a Thai fishing boat and not Somali pirates. ooooops.
Posted by Nimr | November 27, 2008, 10:36 amAwesome post, you captured the little-boy wonder i have for these dudes but felt too guilty to express.
i appreciate them not harming the hostages, makes it easier to keep rooting for them.
Posted by Mohammad | November 28, 2008, 8:17 amYea no doubt, this is definitely a good post. Piracy is major and yes it has bee profitable thus far. However, the most recent attempted heist of a cruise ship has me double guessing the intent of the pirates. Although the Oceania cruise ship would’ve been a major score, it is sad that the pirates have began to target innocent common folk, opposed to the large multinational corporations they have targeted in the past. I am also interested to see what they are applying their ransoms and if the pirate leadership is about helping the common folk or just hoarding the cash. With that type of ransom cash thus far, somewhere in the order of $150m, then they should be able to rebuild and help the women and kids.
Posted by Anonymous | December 4, 2008, 7:16 am