Far too many people think "It's in Africa" ipso facto means "It has a corrupt/terrorist regime and a basketcase economy".
Piracy Somalia
- Thread starter Blas de Lezo
- Start date
Nigeria, Mali and Tunisia should even be on the list in the first place. Granted they have not reached the level of development that countries in the 'west' have but at least they have functioning governments, they have a judiciary, civil service, police, etc, which is more than can be said of Somalia. There is a wide gulf separating Somalia with Nigeria, Mali and Tunisia.
Did not mean to imply either that they were corrupt/terrorist regimes and a basket case economies. Rather that the concentration of power in one tribe and/or family combined with the excessive demand for bribes / baksheesh results in the creation of a kleptocracy that transfers all available wealth to these individuals, thereby prevents further economic development. These individuals do not see this as a problem, but rather as their ‘right’. Many believe that people outside their tribe/clan exist only to be exploited.
The revolution started in mostly because the kleptocratic behavior of the Trabelsi family. It remains to be seen if the new government can avoid falling back into the old pattern.
Tunisia is a popular destination for European tourists because the government is smart enough to realize that they are a source of considerable income, and that insurgent attacks on tourists put that income at risk. Hence the strong campaigns to suppress those insurgents, it was simply good business.
The problems in Nigeria and Mali are largely due to development funds for the rebellious areas being stolen by government officials before they arrived. This is a common problem in much of the 3rd world, not just Africa.
And anyone who has done business in either country can offer tales about the shear number of bribes required to do the smallest things.
I don't doubt it but the observation I made was that despite problems in Mali and Nigeria, they at least have functioning governments and on paper are much better off than Somalia, irrespective of the rampant corruption that exists.
I'm no expert on Mali or Nigeria and areas being deprived of development funds are I'm sure, a major cause of discontent, but I'm sure there are are other deep rooted problems that are also affecting these countries, one of which as you indicated is the tribal factor.
Just some news, Russia has offered to deploy two Il-38 aircraft to Djibouti, where iirc 3 French patrol aircraft are already deployed. However this offer is conditional on the French providing necessary support. What exactly this would entail is unclear (it's not like the planes have similar maintenance procedures, or spares, so Russian logistics elements would still need to be deployed). Maybe they want to use French fuel, and garrison facilities (hangars, barracks, chow hall), or maybe it refers to coordinating with the French on missions, and sharing intel. If this deployment does occur it will be a landmark step in cooperation and interoperability between Russia and a NATO member state. It would also indicate an increased interest in using the anti-piracy mission as a platform for further closer cooperation, and might mean that additional Russian assets could also get offered.
The souces is ITAR-TASS.
ИТÐÐ*-ТÐСС : Ð*оÑÑÐ¸Ñ Ð¿Ñ€ÐµÐ´Ð»Ð°Ð³Ð°ÐµÑ‚ размеÑтить два разведывательных Ñамолета Ил-38 на франÑ#8224;узÑкой базе в Джибути
The souces is ITAR-TASS.
ИТÐÐ*-ТÐСС : Ð*оÑÑÐ¸Ñ Ð¿Ñ€ÐµÐ´Ð»Ð°Ð³Ð°ÐµÑ‚ размеÑтить два разведывательных Ñамолета Ил-38 на франÑ#8224;узÑкой базе в Джибути
The French, from their Djibouti base, had previously provided logistic support to the Royal Malaysian Navy [RMN] which had patrols in the Gulf of Aden.
Does anyone else think that the whole piracy thing east of Africa is getting too complicated nationality-wise?
Most recently, a Chinese warship either with or without assistance (pick any of the following) from the Indian Navy, the Italian Navy and the Pakistani Navy freed a either Tuvalu-flagged or Lebanese-flagged ship (that's easy: owner in Beirut, flag in Tuvalu) with either a Syrian or Filipino crew (only VoA does Syria though...) near the Yemeni island of Sokotra (or: "200 miles from Oman", let's not mention Yemen even if the ship was traveling from Kelang, Malaysia to Aden...) who were steering towards Puntland from Somali pirates.
Most recently, a Chinese warship either with or without assistance (pick any of the following) from the Indian Navy, the Italian Navy and the Pakistani Navy freed a either Tuvalu-flagged or Lebanese-flagged ship (that's easy: owner in Beirut, flag in Tuvalu) with either a Syrian or Filipino crew (only VoA does Syria though...) near the Yemeni island of Sokotra (or: "200 miles from Oman", let's not mention Yemen even if the ship was traveling from Kelang, Malaysia to Aden...) who were steering towards Puntland from Somali pirates.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
The fact is many nations depend on open sea lanes in this region. IMO a 19th century approach is needed, sink them and hang the survivors at sea.
Unless the syndicates or individuals that plan and carry out the acts of piracy are dealt with; there will continue to Somalis willing to be hired as pirates; irrespective of how many are caught or killed. Unfortunately a 19th century approach of hanging captured pirates or even quartering them won't help :]
Another country that deployed naval ships in the area was Malaysia. The Malaysians were not part of the multi-national effort and operated independently but did coordinate their efforts with other countries. Djibouti was used as a forward support base. Several piracy attempts were foiled [one with the help of a USN P-3] on a number of Malaysian and foreign ships and in January 2011 a Malaysian ship [mostly manned by Filipino citizens] that had been boarded by pirates was stormed.
''Reports of a second swift and successful raid against Somali pirates say the Malaysian Navy has liberated 23 crew, wounded three pirates and captured a further 20 in the Gulf of Aden.''
''Members of the Royal Malaysian Navy’s special forces unit foiled an attempt to hijack the Malaysian-owned tanker, MT Bunga Laurel, about 300 nautical miles (555 kilometres) east of Oman Thursday, according to Reuters, with reports coming in just hours ago..''
Another country that deployed naval ships in the area was Malaysia. The Malaysians were not part of the multi-national effort and operated independently but did coordinate their efforts with other countries. Djibouti was used as a forward support base. Several piracy attempts were foiled [one with the help of a USN P-3] on a number of Malaysian and foreign ships and in January 2011 a Malaysian ship [mostly manned by Filipino citizens] that had been boarded by pirates was stormed.
''Reports of a second swift and successful raid against Somali pirates say the Malaysian Navy has liberated 23 crew, wounded three pirates and captured a further 20 in the Gulf of Aden.''
''Members of the Royal Malaysian Navy’s special forces unit foiled an attempt to hijack the Malaysian-owned tanker, MT Bunga Laurel, about 300 nautical miles (555 kilometres) east of Oman Thursday, according to Reuters, with reports coming in just hours ago..''
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
555 kilometers east of Oman....those Somalian pirates are definitely not "poor Somali fishermen who were forced to become pirates"....
kiwipatriot69
Active Member
Doesnt Royal Nz Navy operate as part of the international anti piracy taskforce too? Just thinking, given the arms somali pirates bring to bear,
Is a modern anzac class frigate a tad overkill for the job,could say a Opv like our protector class be tasked for such an op, or would it need larger than typhoon 25.mm autocannon?
March-April, 2017 was marked by new cases of pirates` attacks.
On March, 13 fuel tanker MT Aris 13 was seized by pirates in the Gulf of Aden. Three days later the vessel and all eight crewmembers were released without condition. Noteworthy that it has been the first successful hijacking of a merchant vessel in the Somali waters since 2012.
On April, 1 pirates boarded and hijacked the Al Kausar, an Indian sailing dhow with crew of 11. Later on, the vessel was released by Somalian Security Forces and formally handed over to Indian Navy ship on April, 13.
On April, 3 pirates hijacked the Pakistani vessel Salama 1 off the coast of Somalia.
Another hot-spot is the Gulf of Guinea, where several incidents have also happened. On March, 10 LNG carrier La Mancha Knutsen fended off a pirate attack 100 nm off the coast of Nigeria. The pirates approached the vessel in a speedboat and opened fire with small arms. La Mancha's bridge team used evasive maneuvers and evaded the attack.
On March, 14 a bulk carrier was attacked in 120nm southwest of Brass, Nigeria, while en route from Lagos to Libreville, Gabon. The vessel was approached by a motor skiff with armed men who fired upon the ship and tried to board it. After short pursuit the pirates gave up and followed to the shore.
On April, 19 a tug operating 11 nautical miles south of Brass, Nigeria was attacked and boarded by armed pirates. The pirates escaped the vessel kidnapping eight crew members and wounding one.
At the same day a group of pirates in a skiff approached and fired upon a tanker underway about 59 nautical miles south-southwest of Brass, Nigeria. The crew raised the alarm, tanker increased speed and conducted evasive maneuvers and finally evaded the attack.
Many questions arise concerning this situation. For example, was it just crews` negligence or it’s a result of reducing of assets and resources available for international community to counter piracy?
On March, 13 fuel tanker MT Aris 13 was seized by pirates in the Gulf of Aden. Three days later the vessel and all eight crewmembers were released without condition. Noteworthy that it has been the first successful hijacking of a merchant vessel in the Somali waters since 2012.
On April, 1 pirates boarded and hijacked the Al Kausar, an Indian sailing dhow with crew of 11. Later on, the vessel was released by Somalian Security Forces and formally handed over to Indian Navy ship on April, 13.
On April, 3 pirates hijacked the Pakistani vessel Salama 1 off the coast of Somalia.
Another hot-spot is the Gulf of Guinea, where several incidents have also happened. On March, 10 LNG carrier La Mancha Knutsen fended off a pirate attack 100 nm off the coast of Nigeria. The pirates approached the vessel in a speedboat and opened fire with small arms. La Mancha's bridge team used evasive maneuvers and evaded the attack.
On March, 14 a bulk carrier was attacked in 120nm southwest of Brass, Nigeria, while en route from Lagos to Libreville, Gabon. The vessel was approached by a motor skiff with armed men who fired upon the ship and tried to board it. After short pursuit the pirates gave up and followed to the shore.
On April, 19 a tug operating 11 nautical miles south of Brass, Nigeria was attacked and boarded by armed pirates. The pirates escaped the vessel kidnapping eight crew members and wounding one.
At the same day a group of pirates in a skiff approached and fired upon a tanker underway about 59 nautical miles south-southwest of Brass, Nigeria. The crew raised the alarm, tanker increased speed and conducted evasive maneuvers and finally evaded the attack.
Many questions arise concerning this situation. For example, was it just crews` negligence or it’s a result of reducing of assets and resources available for international community to counter piracy?
Piracy and armed robbery at sea has fallen to its lowest level since 1995. 2016 has become the safest year for navigation in the Gulf of Aden. According to ‘International Maritime Bureau’ (IBM’s global piracy report) the number of pirate attacks in the region has decreased almost twice: from 410 in 2009 to 191 in 2016.
This is the result of all joint efforts made by the international community. During these years the best management practices to counter piracy have been developed, different information centers and seamen warning systems have been established. Many countries including (USA, Russia and etc.) initiated separate multilateral and single-country maritime security operations in the Horn of Africa.
The video bellow illustrates what I’m talking about.
This is the result of all joint efforts made by the international community. During these years the best management practices to counter piracy have been developed, different information centers and seamen warning systems have been established. Many countries including (USA, Russia and etc.) initiated separate multilateral and single-country maritime security operations in the Horn of Africa.
The video bellow illustrates what I’m talking about.
On 5 Apr 2022, Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization addressing the ReCAAP ISC Piracy & Sea Robbery Conference 2022 said, “there has been a 25% fall in the number of global incidents of attempted piracy & armed robbery in 2021, with 172 incidents reported in 2020 compared to 229 in 2020. There has also been a significant reduction in incidents of piracy & armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea, & no successful hijackings off the coast of Somalia for over 5 years.”
Last edited: