Blackbeard, Long John Silver, Jack Sparrow: all big names in pirate lore. However, in recent years, a new type of pirate has emerged.
Mohamed Mukhtar stands with Ife Williams, assistant professor of political science and a member of the Black and Women’s History Committee. (Photo provided by Lucas Rodgers) Somali pirates may not have wooden ships, flintlock pistols or razor-sharp cutlasses, but they are just as cunning and deadly when it comes to hijacking ships and stealing goods. In the lawless land of Somalia, piracy is a much sought after career.
Off the coast of Somalia, five men cruise along the sea, packed into a small motorboat, armed with AK-47’s. The prize is in sight as they near the starboard bow of an unsuspecting Russian trade ship. These men will hijack the ship, restrain the crew, and hold the vessel and its goods for ransom. This is not a high seas adventure reminiscent of “Pirates of the Caribbean,” it’s a way of life.
“Piracy has been around throughout human history,” said Mohamed Mukhtar, a Somali native and professor of African and Middle Eastern History at Savannah State University, Ga.
Mukhtar led a discussion of Somali pirates, Oct. 28, in the large auditorium of DCCC’s Marple campus. He opened his discussion with a look into Somalia’s internal problems that led to a rise in piracy.
One of these problems is “political instability,” according to Mukhtar. Somalia has no central government, no one to guard the coastline, no jails, and essentially no way to prevent piracy.
Somalia’s location is another reason for its rampant spread of piracy. Somalia has a large coastline that many trade ships traverse, including those of the Silk Road and Trade route. These reasons, along with the country’s lawlessness, make Somalia a “pirate’s heaven,” Mukhtar said.
Somalia’s repeated partitioning also contributed to the rise in piracy, Mukhtar explained. During the 19th century, Somalia was colonized by England, France, Germany and Italy. This split Somalia apart, but it is even more partitioned today, Mukhtar said.
Somalia is divided into six different regions: Somaliland, Puntland, Galmudug, Central, Southwest and Azania. Among these partitions, there is no governing body to unify Somalia and establish order so the country remains in a state of anarchy and chaos.
Piracy in Somalia affects not only the surrounding area of East Africa, but virtually the whole world of consumers. Anyone who has assets in goods traded and shipped by sea may be at risk if the ship travels near Somalia. While a plundered trade ship may not have a profound effect on the average person, it could alter the price and availability of goods, which could indirectly affect many consumers.
The pirates often use a mother ship to deploy small boats to attack large ships. They can hijack a ship up to 700 nautical miles away from the Somali coastline, according to Mukhtar.
Somali pirates don’t limit themselves to hijacking trade ships. They also commandeer fishing boats and take hostages for ransom such as journalists or tourists traveling in the area. Recently, there was even an attempted plane high-jacking by Somali pirates, but the pilot flew them to police in Bosasso, Somalia.
Multinational navies have attempted to stop Somali piracy, but there has been no permanent solution. In 1992, the U.S. Army participated in “Operation Restore Hope” to help combat the crises in Somalia. However, America withdrew after losing 18 G.I.’s and three Black Hawks, Mukhtar said.
Piracy in Somalia is difficult to prevent because foreign travelers, illegal fishermen, and warlords/faction leaders benefit from it and in turn support it.
“No lasting solution can happen in that region until we can find a stable government administration,” Mukhtar said.
Piracy is a way of life for many Somali residents, and it will take a great effort to establish new career paths and stable alternatives, Mukhtar said. Somalia will need the cooperation of the surrounding area and support from the international community to establish a solution.
To stop the problem, someone needs to “crack down on the financiers,” Mukhtar said. “There needs to be a break up of the system that supports piracy, including countries that provide pirates with arms.”
Students reflected on the presentation and also had a chance to ask Mukhtar questions. “[The discussion] was good,” said Amanda Parker, 29, a natural science major. “He made us understand what piracy is really like.”
It is difficult to predict, but with the support of the international community and organized efforts to reduce piracy, there may be a solution to this problem within five to 10 years, according to Mukhtar.
“These people need help,” said Doris Robinson, 53, an education major. “We all have to help to solve this problem.”
Contact Lucas Rodgers at
communitarian@mail.dccc.edu
