The Unlicensed and Undocumented Privateers of Somalia

I must admit that I was rather amused when I first encountered the phrase Unlicensed and Undocumented Privateers of Somalia. When I reflected upon these words for a moment, I realised that this is the perfect description of the noble men who currently guard the marine resource of the Somali nation. It is true that they have attained global fame, and that their exploits are being reported in all corners of the world. However, we must never tolerate the blatant racism that underpins the usage of words like Somali Pirates, or Islamic Pirates. We, the Somali people, must never tolerate the speculative statements, of so-called journalist experts, who earn their pay by dreaming up potential linkages between international terrorism and the honourable business of protecting Somali territorial waters.

What has the world come to when the fish stocks of an entire nation—the Somali nation—are brazenly looted by piratical industrial fishing vessels from France, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Egypt, Kenya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Belize and Honduras without regard for the natives of Somalia? What has the world come to when certain leading member states of the European Union actively dispose of their industrial, toxic, and nuclear waste in Somali national waters without so much as a thought? How can any group of people be expected to sit idle as both their economy and their environment are severely degraded by people who really should know better? I am of the opinion that the Somali people should be treated with respect. The Somali people are well within their rights when it comes to defending their marine resources.

It is a sad state of affairs that today the Somali nation is somehow expected to apologise to the many racists of this world for having dared to protect its national resources, its culture, and its dignity. Therefore, I state unequivocally that a pirate is a criminal and that a privateer acts within the law. Self defence is a central pillar of the laws of men, and self defence is enshrined in the laws of God. Only the most depraved can deny this truth. It is with the blessing of the Almighty that the privateers of Somalia operate. Until the manifestly disrespectful attitude of the outside world, and the overt racism of armchair analysts is properly addressed, I fear that we shall not witness a positive resolution to the current state of affairs in coastal Somalia.

I sometimes hear the foolish, and naïve, suggestion that the Blackwater company—and others like it—should be sent to Somalia in order to deal with the threats being posed to the international shipping industry. This idea is foolish because, apart from the obvious impracticalities of such a mission, there is the question of how to pay the infamous mercenaries? The very fact that private security companies work on the basis of a long-term contract—often with the U.S. government or powerful corporate interests—rules out the possibility of the insolvent TFG of Somalia hiring such organisations. It is more likely that the U.S. government would hire such mercenaries for this type of mission, but would a company like Blackwater really work in Somalia for the small sum of $5 million a year when they have become accustomed to greater sums of money elsewhere?

The idea that there are thousands of young Somali men, who happen to be both armed and skilful mariners indicates that the Somalis are always going to come out on top when it comes to the privateering industry. The economies of scale, and the fact that Somalia belongs to the Somalis must compel the vicious and greedy policy makers in Europe, Asia, and North America to act honourably for once. They must learn that Somali fishing rights must be respected, and that all foreign fishing vessels illegally operating in Somali national waters must be apprehended: Either by the so-called international community or by the noble privateers of Somalia. Only then shall this problem be solved.