shippingposition
  • Home
  • News
  • Editorial
    • Vox Pop
  • Maritime safety
  • Oil and Gas
  • Personality
  • Health
No Result
View All Result
shippingposition

Home » Somalia: Inside a pirate network

Somalia: Inside a pirate network

by Ade
January 18, 2009
in Uncategorized

Hargeisa — Hassan and Mohamed (NOT REAL NAMES) were fishermen in Bossaso, in the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, Northeastern Somalia, but turned to piracy out of desperation and lack of alternative livelihoods.
However, in August 2008, coastguards from the self-declared republic of Somaliland arrested them after they strayed into the region’s waters. In September, they were each sentenced to 15 years in prison for their role in the piracy that has intensified off Somalia’s waters in recent years.
Hassan and several others jailed on piracy charges spoke to IRIN between August and December from two prisons in Somaliland.
Hassan said: “I participated in two missions which we planned in Bossaso; the first in February [2008]. As part of a group of eight, we went to Ras Azayr area in Puntland in search of some foreign vessels. We did not find anything. We thought that since there were no foreign vessels operating in Puntland waters, we could go to Somaliland.
“I met up with a group of five men in Berbera and we agreed to operate in Somaliland waters. Unfortunately, Somaliland coastal guards captured us before we could do anything. I was later charged with organizing piracy activities in Somaliland.
“I agreed to engage in piracy because we wanted to get back at the illegal foreign vessels that were fishing in our waters, denying us a livelihood. We targeted foreign cargo vessels for that reason.”
Explaining how a pirate network works, Mohamed, who was sentenced in December, said: “I was captured in [Somaliland’s] His District alongside four other men captured by coastguards on 13 December. I was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
“I, as do most pirates, consider myself as having been performing the duties of a coastguard. We usually work in groups of seven to 10 people. Often, our missions are financed by individuals and businessmen who collect half of the ransoms paid.
“Many people who opt to become pirates do so because authorities such as those in Puntland contribute to the degrading of the sea’s environment by licensing foreign ships which use illegal fishing methods.”
Omar*, another of the jailed pirates, added: “Piracy has become booming business in Puntland territories; we receive the fuel and logistics from local business people. For example, when a kidnapped vessel pays ransom, 50 percent of it is taken by the people who invested their money; the pirates only get 50 percent.” In turn, the business people also give a certain percentage of the ransom to the influential people in the host area of operations, Omar said.
However, he was quick to point out that pirates did not attack any ship coming to Bossaso.


Related Posts

VESSELS EXPECTED AT LAGOS PORT AS AT TUESDAY 10, MAY 2022

VESSELS EXPECTED AT LAGOS PORT AS AT TUESDAY 10, MAY 2022

May 10, 2022
VESSELS EXPECTED AT LAGOS PORT AS AT FRIDAY 29, APRIL 2022

VESSELS EXPECTED AT LAGOS PORT AS AT FRIDAY 29, APRIL 2022

April 29, 2022

‘Why I Pay More Attention To Rail Than Maritime Sector’- Rotimi Amaechi

September 27, 2021
ANLCA President Calls For Emergency On Reconstruction Of Roads Leading Into Apapa

ANLCA President Calls For Emergency On Reconstruction Of Roads Leading Into Apapa

May 15, 2021

Discussion about this post

Latest News

Shipping Position Interaction with Dr Eugene Nweke (Concluded)

Shipping Position Interaction with Dr Eugene Nweke (Concluded)

May 28, 2022

NNS KADA Will Further Improve Maritime Security Around Gulf Of Guniea  – CNS

AfDB Targets Wheat Importation Cut In Nigeria By 40 Per Cent

VESSELS EXPECTED AT LAGOS PORT AS AT SATURDAY 28, MAY 2022

Customs Western Marine Command Intercepts Cannabis Sativa, Rice

Minister Inaugurates Committee On Nigeria Agro Produce

Nigeria, EU Partner To Address Instability In Niger Delta

U.S. Seizes Iranian Oil Cargo Near Greek Island – Sources

VESSELS EXPECTED AT LAGOS PORT AS AT FRIDAY 27, MAY 2022

100 Days In Office: NPA MD Commissions Training School

NIMASA To Entrench Home Grown Human Capacity Development – DG

Egypt’s Suez Canal Maritime Traffic Generates $15m Daily — Official

kindly like our Facebook page

Health

Stay Away From Bush Meat To Prevent Monkeypox, NCDC Urges Nigerians
Health

Stay Away From Bush Meat To Prevent Monkeypox, NCDC Urges Nigerians

May 23, 2022

The Director-General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa has urged Nigerians to avoid bush meat as...

Stop Consuming Suya Roasted With Open Flames, Physician Tells Nigerians

Stop Consuming Suya Roasted With Open Flames, Physician Tells Nigerians

May 23, 2022
COVID-19, 40 Other Outbreaks Top Regional Diseases In 2021 – WAHO

COVID-19, 40 Other Outbreaks Top Regional Diseases In 2021 – WAHO

May 16, 2022
EU Relaxes Anti-COVID Measures, Drops Wearing Of Masks On Planes

EU Relaxes Anti-COVID Measures, Drops Wearing Of Masks On Planes

May 16, 2022
What You Need To Know About Monkeypox

What You Need To Know About Monkeypox

May 16, 2022
Sleep Duration Of 7 Hours Optimal For Elderly – Study

Sleep Duration Of 7 Hours Optimal For Elderly – Study

May 16, 2022
COVID-19 On Increase In Americas, Africa – WHO

COVID-19 On Increase In Americas, Africa – WHO

May 9, 2022
‘65 Per Cent Of Africa’s Population Survived COVID-19’

‘65 Per Cent Of Africa’s Population Survived COVID-19’

May 9, 2022
Seven Hours Of Sleep Ideal For Middle-Aged Persons – Study

Seven Hours Of Sleep Ideal For Middle-Aged Persons – Study

May 9, 2022
Some Things That Are Actually Damaging The Kidneys (2)

Some Things That Are Actually Damaging The Kidneys (2)

May 9, 2022

The World Of Vaccines, Before And After COVID

April 29, 2022

© 2021 Shippingposition

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Coast To Coast
  • Oil and Gas
  • Maritime Education
  • The Terminals
  • Maritime safety

© 2021 Shippingposition