The Pirate Problem

Somali pirates have claimed to be a Coast Guard. But no country's Coast Guard has a policy of "if you confiscate it, you can keep it or pocket the ransom."They claim to do good by protecting Somalian waters from polluters and illegal fishers. Internationally, they are recognized as responding to those crimes, but also as sea bandits. The pirates and their public image are examples of the corruption of the country, and the dire need for international intervention.

The pirates' argument, that they are not pirates, does not effectively defend their actions. There is clear evidence that the pirates respond to illegal fishing and oil spilling. This is relevant to the role of a Coast Guard. It is even likely that without the presence of pirates, the illegal fishing and spilling would be more of a problem. If that is true, then it suggests that the pirates protect the environment to some degree, whether directly or indirectly.

However there is also clear evidence that the pirates specifically target those ships that would provide the largest ransoms. This is relevant to the role of corrupt policemen. Like the cops in Mexico that are in league with drug cartels. Also like the cops and drug cartels, the pirates participate in a tree of beneficiaries from the loot. Pirates have financiers that receive a large share of the profits. They may support politicians who in turn back them. The UN believes that prostitution, drug trade, and sex trafficking are financed by pirate ransom money. This looks exactly like drug cartels, gangs, and mafias. In America, we typically combat these groups with the FBI, or other forms of law enforcement. However there is no domestic capability to combat the pirates in Somalia.

That is why I believe the most effective way to put an end to the pirating and related corruption in the horn of Africa is through international efforts. Any international efforts would need to have a multifaceted plan. Not only would the effort need to include an armed force to stop the pirates from illegal activity, but there would need to be courts set up. Currently the pirates handle illegal fishing and polluting either by violent force or by taking the perpetrators hostage. The proper way to handle such a situation is by bringing the perpetrators to court. The problem is Somalia is not close to having the institutions in place for proper due process of law. The solution could be to set up a court in a nearby, stable country backed by international support.

An additional problem to address is that the pirating would actively hinder the establishment of a proper government. The pirates are strong enough, through connections and money, to combat any attempts to establish a powerful government. The pirates thrive in an effectively lawless environment. Their actions - taking ships hostage, supporting drug trade and prostitution, and scaring away the chance for international trade - would undermine any government. I think the removal of the pirates needs to happen before Somalia has a chance to establish a government. Therefore I argue that if the international community has any interest in establishing a significant government then it should first focus on the pirate problem.

Once there are no longer pirates, and there is a government established, Somalia can effectively and fairly protect the fish and prevent the pollution in the sea. Then there will not be a guise for pirates to claim as their motivation and mission.