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The pirates that are attacking the ships are mainly from Somalia. They are young men and usually pretty ragged and poor, but they have experience from working on merchant ships and they have made many attacks on boats. Somalia is going through a civil war right now and the government doesn't have the means or resources to prosecute the pirates. The attacks are happening in the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden, as well as the Straits of Malacca and the Nigerian coastline. The hijackings have escalated to smaller fishing ships to large merchant ships and supertankers. The latest in these attacks was the Saudi owned Sirius Star, which carried $100 million worth of oil. The ships that are being attacked are paying thousands, even millions, of dollars for ransom.
Muammar Gaddafi, the new chairman of the African Union, defended the pirates saying that their actions are defensive. He says that the pirates are trying to defend themselves from western nations that are illegally fishing in these regions and are exploiting Somalia.
I think the pirates are really cool, but maybe that's because I watch to much Pirates of the Caribbean. But in this case, pirates aren't as cool. I think that organized crime like this is really easy in a country like Somalia where there isn't a great government set up yet. Unfortunately this is one of the many problems in that region. It kinda makes our problems a little bit more high class.
10 comments:
I certainly agree that they are a problem. By paralyzing major shipping lanes, it makes everything that much more difficult, and thus more expensive, to ship--just what we need in today's economy. What is needed is for the United States, UN, and others to look at addressing the root problems of the piracy, the fact that no one has jobs in Somalia. If we can support the Somalian government and help rebuild the country's economy, pirates will no longer have any incentive to do what they until. Until then, we must continue with armadas guarding container ships.
I certainly agree that they are a problem. By paralyzing major shipping lanes, it makes everything that much more difficult, and thus more expensive, to ship--just what we need in today's economy. What is needed is for the United States, UN, and others to look at addressing the root problems of the piracy, the fact that no one has jobs in Somalia. If we can support the Somalian government and help rebuild the country's economy, pirates will no longer have any incentive to do what they until. Until then, we must continue with armadas guarding container ships.
okay this is very interesting and all. Pirates are criminals and should be brought to justice. other then reaffirming U.S jurisdiction I don't see what this has to do with Government or economics
My point for leaving this blog is showing what comes of a government that is not organized. People can criticize our government but at least we have one that functions somewhat efficiently and safely. Pirates are not a cause of the bad government, but is an outcome. Another question is the U.S' involvement in these crimes. Should the our government take any part in prosecuting these criminals from other countries?
I beg to differ with Scott Bade. Why is that whenever something goes wrong in a foreign country, we always want the "US or UN" to get involved. First of all, such a petty issue as a piracy (they aren't stealing THAT much money anyways)doesn't need to be addressed by the UN...I would rather see the UN helping in Darfur than stopping a few thieves in Somalia who just want money to feed their families. We have to stop thinking that the US and UN can, and should, stop world crises. We have to let other countries deal with their own problems once in a while too. We have to stop policing the world
I think the Government over there should imply more strict and strategic consequences for pirates. And that the enforcers should have more rights and ability to pursue such annoyance and burden. Afterall all, they do hold civilians hostages, and in return demand more of what they have already stolem. I believe that the pirates should find alternative ways in having incomes and making better profits than robbery. Other than that it is potentially sad to see them taking drastic measures in achieving what they desire.
First of all, the reason the piracy is "allowed" off of Somalia is because of the lack of government there. It is essentially nominal only, meaning it has no ability to project its power within its own maritime borders.
Secondly, it is not just the US that is there, but a large group of mostly wealthy nations like the Britain, France, Russia, India, China, and the European Union. Even Iran is participating.
Thirdly, the reason it is so vital is because the Gulf of Aden is one of the most important shipping lanes in the world, with supply routes going from Europe through the Red Sea to Asia. It saves thousands of miles and weeks of traveling time to go through the Suez Canal than to go around the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa). There is a reason that Britain, France, and Israel fought a war over the Suez Canal. If this route were to be shut off to cargo ships, it would paralyze trade between Europe and the Middle East, Asia and eastern Africa, certainly increasing prices for goods (like oil) and hampering many economies dependent on cargo (like oil!) that goes through the Gulf of Aden. This is not what we need right now in the current economic crisis.
Finally, when piracy occurs in international waters and is indiscriminate in attacking ships from all country, it becomes the business of any country whose ships or goods are being attacked to respond. One of the fundamental reasons for a government to exist is to protect its citizens, goods, and strategic interests. All three criteria are met here for the US, the West, and the broader international community to respond to the outrages currently occurring off of the Somali coastline.
I agree with you Scott that this can't be looked over lightly, the people who are stealing need to be punished. But now what? Does the US take them to jail? Do we help Somalia set up a judicial system? Does the UN prosecute them? How far in are we going to get ourselves into this?
These shipping companies, especially the oil companies, make large amounts of money and if they are willing to take the risk of shipping through these waters and being forced to pay ransoms (one company payed between 2-4 million according to an article in the wall street journal last month) they can afford armed guards that would be able to protect their vessels from pirates in dinghy's using rudimentary weaponry and tools. It is legally not the US's jurisdiction and to have the government spending its money in a time of crisis to protect wealthy companies when the private sector could provide this service seems rather absurd to me.
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