We are being lied to about the pirates

By Amanda Jones

In December 2006, American military and security forces, and their Ethiopian proxies invaded Somalia in a 'regime change' operation to overthrow the first quasi-stable government Somalia had seen for 15 years; leading to one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.

Reports followed of Americans bombing refugees and destroying villages in 'official' attempts to capture a handful of individuals allegedly linked to al Qaeda.

In reality the destabilisation was an attempt to insure pro-western control of the vital Horn of Africa.

However, well before the Ethiopian invasion in 2006, there was an application of the age-old Western policy of divide and conquer – deliberately fomenting violent conflict, whether Islamic, clan-based, factional, or criminal by nature, leading to a Civil War which ravaged the country since 1991.

In this time, its 9 million citizens have seen famine, drought, 14 failed governments, and the dubious honour of currently having the world’s largest refugee camp.

However, the horrors of war and lack of basic living conditions, which face Somalians every day; are being drowned out by the media portrayal of piracy dramas on the high seas.

Also conveniently ignored are the initial motives which led to the pirates hijacking boats sailing in Somali waters – dumping of toxic-waste, illegal fishing and the continued environmental destruction off Somalia's coast.

Allegations of toxic-waste dumping and illegal fishing have been circulating since early 1990. However, it wasn't until the 2004 Tsunami hit northern Somalia that visual evidence became apparent.

The UNEP reported the Tsunami washed up and smashed open containers of toxic-waste, admitting, “Somalia has been used as a cheap dumping ground for hazardous waste throughout their civil war.

It costs as little as $2.50 a tonne, whereas European waste disposals cost $1000 a tonne. When the containers came ashore, containing many different types of waste – from uranium to heavy metals to medical waste – hundreds of residents became ill, suffering from skin, mouth and abdominal bleeding.”

People began to suffer from radiation sickness, and more than 300 died.

And yet no one said anything. No one decried such a heinous crime.

Simultaneously, along the 3300km Somalian coastline, but away from the dumping, other European ships are looting Somalian waters of their greatest resource: seafood.

More than $300m worth of tuna, shrimp and lobster are stolen annually by vast trawlers illegally fishing in Somalia's unprotected seas using outdated fishing techniques illegal in their own countries, consequently destroying the ecological balance and making environmental sustainability next to impossible.

The local fishermen have suddenly lost their livelihoods. Mohammed Hussein, a fisherman based 100km from Mogadishu said, “If nothing is done, there soon won't be any fish left in our waters.”

The effects of Somalia's waters being poisoned are far-reaching, as ocean currents carry the radioactive waste worldwide and poisoning marine life. The fish we eat will be affected for years to come.

This is the context in which the men the world are calling 'pirates' has emerged. Ordinary Somalian fishermen formed the Volunteer Coastguard of Somalia and took out speedboats to try and dissuade the dumpers and trawlers.

A representative of the group, Sugule Ali, said, “We consider those who illegally fish and dump in our seas the actual sea bandits.”

Obviously the issues in Somalia shouldn't advocate hostage taking, and some clearly are just opportunistic gangsters. Indeed, there have been reports that organised criminal syndicates are involved in the activities.

But the local “pirates” have the overwhelming support of the local population for a reason. Lack of governmental oversight, assistance and marine protection is a motivating factor in the presence of international ships.

Technically, ships can do anything in Somali waters as there is no one to stop them. So, nations take this opportunity to dump their illegal waste, while telling their 'own' constituents they are becoming 'greener', whereas in reality they take advantage of vulnerable populations and poison millions.

If we really want to deal with piracy, then the root causes have to be explored before US and EU military ships armed with weapons and snipers are sent in.

Piracy itself is not the problem, it is merely a symptom of the true disease of international exploitation.

It is a temporary solution to a lack of resources, resources that are unjustly usurped by others. The Somalis recognise the hypocrisy that is fuelling international efforts and are unlikely to cease their activities so long as ample opportunities exist.

The story of the 2009 piracy war is best summarised by a pirate from the fourth century, who after being captured by Alexander the Great responded to what he meant by possession of the seas. He said, “because I do it with a petty ship, I am called a robber, while you, who do it with a great fleet, are called an emperor.”