Piracy in Somalia
Piracy At Sea
The word "pirate" typically makes one think of names like "Blackbeard," or it congers up images of buried treasure, tall sailing ships and sword fights. But the words and images which are traditionally linked with the term "pirate" do not reflect the pirates of today. Modern-day pirates are not sailing tall ships and do not wield swashbuckling swords or fire cannons. Today, pirates are found frequently off the shore of the African country of Somalia, and they use small metal skiffs and advanced weapons such as rocket launchers and machine guns. The new pirates of today have become a huge problem that the entire global community needs to take seriously and deal with immediately. Any effective solution to this modern-day problem will require the United Nations to become involved by sending humanitarian aid to the people of Somalia; assisting in the formation of a stable Somalian government and an effective Somalian naval force so that it can protect its territorial waters and support its citizens; and enforcing a ban on foreign fishing off Somalian shores in order to preserve a significant economic industry for the Somali people. Somalia, a country that suffers from an extremely weak government and a terrible economy, is the biggest source of piracy in the world. "In 2008, Somalia had the highest number of incidents of piracy in the world, with 111 attacks, a 200 percent increase over 2007" ("Piracy at Sea"). On top of this piracy problem, Somalia also suffers from a very unstable, corrupt government. "In 2006, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia was formed, but it was very weak." ("Piracy at Sea"). Somalia, due to civil unrest and the terrible condition the country is in is worsened by the fact there is no stable government. Also, the country is in great need of humanitarian aid. Only 31% of the population has access to pure drinking water, and only 17% of the population has access to adequate sanitation ("Somalia").
The word "pirate" typically makes one think of names like "Blackbeard," or it congers up images of buried treasure, tall sailing ships and sword fights. But the words and images which are traditionally linked with the term "pirate" do not reflect the pirates of today. Modern-day pirates are not sailing tall ships and do not wield swashbuckling swords or fire cannons. Today, pirates are found frequently off the shore of the African country of Somalia, and they use small metal skiffs and advanced weapons such as rocket launchers and machine guns. The new pirates of today have become a huge problem that the entire global community needs to take seriously and deal with immediately. Any effective solution to this modern-day problem will require the United Nations to become involved by sending humanitarian aid to the people of Somalia; assisting in the formation of a stable Somalian government and an effective Somalian naval force so that it can protect its territorial waters and support its citizens; and enforcing a ban on foreign fishing off Somalian shores in order to preserve a significant economic industry for the Somali people. Somalia, a country that suffers from an extremely weak government and a terrible economy, is the biggest source of piracy in the world. "In 2008, Somalia had the highest number of incidents of piracy in the world, with 111 attacks, a 200 percent increase over 2007" ("Piracy at Sea"). On top of this piracy problem, Somalia also suffers from a very unstable, corrupt government. "In 2006, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia was formed, but it was very weak." ("Piracy at Sea"). Somalia, due to civil unrest and the terrible condition the country is in is worsened by the fact there is no stable government. Also, the country is in great need of humanitarian aid. Only 31% of the population has access to pure drinking water, and only 17% of the population has access to adequate sanitation ("Somalia").