The urgency of the piracy crisis in Somalia came to light when a UN-sponsored donors conference was convened in Brussels on 22nd and 23rd April 2009. This development followed the capture - and rescue of American captain Richard Philips on April 14th 2009. At the end of this saga, the world came to realize how much attention Somalia needed. Overnight, the sum of $250 million was pledged to help the conflict-infested country which has gone without an effective government for two decades.
The Gravity of Somalia’s piracy crisis
Many observers and analysts have pointed out that the scourge of piracy in Somalia is only a reflection or manifestation of internal decay. “Somalia’s extreme poverty and lack of effective central government make it an ideal breeding ground for piracy …,” says Mark Thomson in Time magazine of April 14, 2009. At the donors conference in Brussels, UN boss Ban Ki Moon observed “piracy is s symptom of anarchy and insecurity on the ground.”
The seriousness of Somalia’s situation is further seen in the willingness of donors to offer substantial assistance despite the current financial crisis. The Brussels conference originally aimed at raising $166 million, but it ended up with a hefty sum of $250 million. “The pledges were a recognition of the need to end two decades of anarchy in Somalia and of the threat that further lawlessness poses to the world not just one nation,” says Slobodan Lekic of the Associated Press.
The threat that a chaotic Somalia poses to world peace is among the biggest worries of the West. Two decades of lawlessness have transformed Somalia into a safe haven for extremists. The insurgent group al-Shabab, which has links with al-Qaeda is among the radical groups that have taken root in Somalia. This group took responsibility for the mortar rounds fired at the plane carrying U.S Congressman Donald M. Payne when he visited Somalia on April 14 2009.
What Prospects for Somalia?
The enthusiasm shown by donors in Brussels after the infamous “Richard Philips” drama is a very positive sign for peace-hungry Somalia. This ironically owes to a near-tragedy that almost cost the life of Captain Philips. It, however, highlights the need to pay urgent attention to the plight of 3.25 million Somalis who are now in need of food and humanitarian aid. It is in such environments that pirates are bred.
Another positive sign for Somalia after August 14 was the return of exiled opposition leader Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys. “We believe that’s a step in the right direction because this country is for all Somalis,” said Barigye Bahoku, spokesman for the African Union Mission to Somalia. “Every opinion, every idea especially at this stage matters … if he is coming back with a message of peace … that will be great,” he told the VOA.
The most important of Somalia’s blessings is its $250 worth of cash pledged by the donor community. Among many sectors competing for this cash, security will be given priority especially the expansion of AU Peace keeping forces in Somalia from 4.350 to 8.000. The money is also expected to help Somalia build up its police force of 10.000 along with a separate security force of 6.000 members.
To what extent does donor money address the problem of piracy?
Skeptics have taken offense at donors’ complete neglect of other root causes of piracy. Illegal fishing and dumping of toxic waste along Somalia’s coastal waters for example, have been cited as key factors. Leigh Philips had earlier predicted this situation in euobserver when he said “most likely absent from the meeting will be any discussion of the role that years and years of European illegal activities have had in the origins of the piracy crisis.”
Many critics continue to warn about the consequences of a high handed approach to Somalia’s crisis. “Unless underlying causes are tackled,” says Philips, “navies from the wealthier nations will only find themselves caught in another expensive guerilla war.” On her part, Elise Frod, head of Oxfarm International’s EU office says, “without economic opportunities offering alternatives to criminality and without law and order to curb these activities, then the massive economic returns of hijacking ships will continue.”
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