Piracy in Somalia: The Drastic Effects of Post-colonalismStefan Martynkiw

Somalia in the NewsThe piracy in the area of Somalia is currently appearing on the news. In order to better understand the reason behind the piracy in Somalia, we must dig deeper.

CaseThe pirate activities in Somalia surround the detainment and capture of foreign ships for ransom in the Indian Sea and the Gulf of Aden (the link to the Red Sea).

Historical BackgroundBefore the collapse of the Somali government, people sold their fish in government markets. These government markets exported fish to markets such as Denmark, Germany, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the UN Development Programme, and FAO.

In 1984 a drought forced the inland ranchers of Somalia to move to the coast, causing a great increase in fishermen. In 1991 the Somali government collapsed.

Post-colonial IssuesAfter the collapse of the Somali government, Somalia was left without a coast guard. Almost immediately, foreign trawlers began illegally over-fishing Somalia's sea resources and dumping toxic waste. Even worse, the trawlers have been abusing the local fishermen by cutting their nets and ramming their boats.

Over-fishing in SomaliaPrior to the collapse of the socialist government in 1991, Somalia employed a left-wing approach to the fish market.Fish marketed domesticallyProvide MaintenanceAssistance.Develop Cold StoresDevelop FisheriesFish FarmerGovernment Controlled MarketSells fish at fixedpriceForeign CountriesCold StorageSomali GovernmentDenmarkGermanyJapanSwedenUNDP, FAOUnited KingdomFish collected in joint ventures is marketed in the respective countryof the joint ventureAllows joint ventures

Over-fishing in SomaliaAfter the Collapse of the Somali government in 1991, the country was left without a coast guard. Almost immediately the shores of Somalia became an international free-for-all for illegal fishing.

Toxic Waste: Product of the First WorldToxic waste is being exported to Somalia because it is less expensive to dump the waste than it is to properly dispose of the waste. It is cheaper for individuals to let organized crime syndicates dispose of the waste.Disposing Waste Properly$250 / tonDumping waste off shore of Somalia$2.50 / tonPrivate IndividualsOrganized Crime

Toxic Waste: Product of the First WorldAfter the government collapsed, people started noticing foreign ships that would dump waste into the water.This ship, the Red Jolly, is known to NGO's for having dumped waste in Somalia's waters.

Toxic Waste: Product of the First WorldSince the waste was being dumped, the coastal peoples began to experience rashes, malformed babies, and nausea.

Toxic Waste: Product of the First WorldIn 2005 a tsunami struck Somalia, washing rusted barrels of toxic waste on it's shores. 300 people died from radiation sickness. The contaminants were spead as far as 10 kilometers inland.

The UNEP's aid in cleaning SomaliaAccording to Nick Nuttal, a UNEP spokesman, the UNEP plans to: ...do a proper, in-depth scientific assessment on the magnitude of the problem. But because of the high levels of insecurity onshore and off the Somali coast, we are unable to carry out an accurate assessment of the extent of the problem,"

Reaction to International Pillaging: PiracyBecause the illegal fishing and waste dumping depleted the fish stocks, former fishermen were unable to catch enough fish to eat and sell at the markets. As a result, they turned to piracy to earn a livelihood.

Response from the International CommunityInternational complaints from Somalia from 1991 to 1995 directed towards the UN for not assisting the country have been ignored. Instead of assisting Somalia, the UN has decided to fight the piracy in Somalia instead. The UN has invoked charter IIV of the UN charter.UN Charter: Charter IIV: (Resolution 1816)...enter the territorial waters of Somaliaand ..use, within the territorial waters of Somalia .all necessary means to identify, deter, prevent, and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery, including but not limited to boarding, searching, and seizing vessels engaged in or suspected of engaging in acts of piracy or armed robbery, and to apprehend persons engaged in such acts with a view to such persons being prosecuted

Since Somalian pirates are unable to earn a livelihood from neither the drought-plagued land nor the foreign-fished seas, it is necessary for Somalians to be able to have their own fisheries protected from illegal activities on the international scale. In all honesty, the UN has the most representatives from the countries that are part of the problem in Somalia. What is necessary, I think, is a League of Little Nations of the world to allow the developing world to have a united voice to the developed nations of the world. Even though the nations of the Little League may have their differences, there are issues such as e-waste, illegal fishing, and waste dumping that need to be forcefully brought to the attention of the developed world with a unified voice.Recommended Solution: The Little LeagueIf it worked for The Dutchy of Grand Fenwick inThe Mouse that Roared...

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