Piracy: revenge of the impoverished

• Source: Global Times
• [02:59 October 21 2009]
• Comments

Many of us probably do not know or even care where Somalia is.

But some residents of this country keep reminding us of its existence in a way we do not like: by hijacking ships along one of the busiest maritime routes in the world.

The latest victim was the Chinese ship Dexinhai, carrying coal and 25 Chinese sailors. It was captured by Somalian pirates Monday and is just one of the 52 ships they have preyed upon this year.

Long forgotten by the rest of the world, Somalia has been left behind, dying of war and hunger. There has been no functioning government since 1991. The average life expectancy is only 46 years. In the capital city of Mogadishu, bullets fly on the streets while the situation is even worse elsewhere.

In this country where nearly no industry exists, crime is a profitable business. While others fight for food aid, piracy is an attractive option for many young men there, bringing money, luxurious cars and pretty women.

Equipped with sophisticated weaponry and electronics, pirates have been expanding their targets to bulk carriers and oil tankers.

Ransoms have soared from $10,000 to millions of dollars, while the hijackings are happening farther and farther off the coast.