Pirate Nation

After some initial confusion, I discussed the issue with Abdul Mohammad, a political analyst from Somalia.

[Abdul] This is not a lecture.  I shouldn’t have to explain this to you.

[Africa Correspondent] Give me a break.  Pirates, pirates.  It’s an honest mistake.  Just explain how they operate.

[Abdul] They use small maneuverable motor boats, laying in wait for larger boats to pass then pursue them.

[Africa Correspondent] Go on.

[Abdul] They fire rocket shells in advance in an attempt to shake the resolve of the crew.

[Africa Correspondent] Yeah?

[Abdul] Then, when they are close they will use ladders to scale the distance between ships.  At this point it’s too late for the crew, unprepared to defend against superior firepower.

[Africa Correspondent] Yeah?

[Abdul] Once on board the crew may put up a fight but eventually the pirates overwhelm them, rounding them up for ransom.

[Africa Correspondent] Amazing!  How does it end?  Do they make them walk the plank?

[Abdul] What?  This isn’t a story, there is no plank.  The hijackers know people are more valuable to them alive and ensure their safety.

[Africa Correspondent] But these are dangerous men…cold, mindless African thugs.  You can practically see the hunger induced malice on their unwashed faces.  How are they able to restrain themselves?

[Abdul] These men aren’t as they have been portrayed in the media.  They are aware, very organised and motivated by a conviction to pay back wrong that has been done to them.

[Africa Correspondent] Well they look hungry to me…But as long as no one is hurt.

[Abdul] Not quite.  Some pirates have been killed during rescue attempts.  The recent rescue of the Maersk Alabama saw three pirates were killed, one shot clean through the head.

[Africa Correspondent] I was talking about Americans, Afric–Pirates don’t count.  What’s the motivation behind these hijackings?

[Abdul] The ransoms are a big part of it, bu—

[Africa Correspondent] I knew it!  We send you aid every year but that’s still not enough for you people?  All the rice and lentils you can eat and this is how you repay us?

[Abdul] This isn’t only about money.  These men see themselves as coast guards against those people that seek to do evil in the region.

[Africa Correspondent] Then they should be taking the proper procedures by invading and forcing their will upon the nation like a civilised country would.  What’s this big “evil” anyway?

[Abdul] Those that use the Somalian coast as a dumping ground for toxic waste without care to the damage caused or the health of those on shore.  Not to mention the illegal fishing perpetrated by other nations looking for an easy source of profit, destroying the livelihood of the local fisherman.

[Africa Correspondent] …That’s it?

[Abdul] Excuse me?

[Africa Correspondent] We’ve been using Africa as a dumping ground for years now, big deal.  So what if you lose some fish…there’s plenty of it in the sea.  Adapt and find another line of work…toxic waste reseller maybe?

[Abdul] You cannot be serious?

[Africa Correspondent] I’m just saying.  There’s no need to overreact. Is it really worth it?

[Abdul] Actually, piracy is Somali’s biggest industry, bringing in $150 million in 2008 alone.  Young men are attracted to piracy by aspirations of big houses, fast cars and pretty women that the life affords.

[Africa Correspondent] So piracy is the Somalian equivalent of Hip Hop?

[Abdul] It’s not quite the same. 

[Africa Correspondent] You said yourself they enjoy materialistic lifestyles, attracting impressionable youth with the image of riches and violence being projected by the media that covers them…It’s kind of the same.

[Abdul] There is substance to the motivation of these men.

[Africa Correspondent] If you say…Are the pirates worried that people will begin to defend themselves?

[Abdul] No. They are committed to this course of action and if the political situation doesn’t change, the hijackings will continue.

[Africa Correspondent] Maybe it’s not so bad?  Your country now has at least one operational industry.  You could say that dumping tons of toxic waste off your coastline and fishing illegally in your sovereign waters for our own personal gain was a good thing.  A blessing in disguise if you will?

[Abdul] Absolutely not!  The truth is that these men are the pawns of the real players who make the money.  The ones who really benefit negotiate ransom deals from safe locations.

[Africa Correspondent] The big shots get the little guy to do all the work then bring home the bacon…so to speak?

[Abdul] Yes.

[Africa Correspondent] You’ve mastered capitalism and yet your country is still a mess.  I don’t get it?

[Abdul] The money flows out of the country to these criminals.

[Africa Correspondent] So what’s the solution?

[Abdul] It is difficult.  It’s not like you can go around shooting every fisherman with dark skin.

[Africa Correspondent] Let’s not rule that out as an option.  The EU and US have already begun to increase the presence of warships in the area to protect the trade routes..and the people of course.