The Youth's Voices on Piracy in Somalia
The Somali Anti-Piracy Information Center (SAPIC) in collaboration with the Somali National Youth Council convened for a roundtable discussion where youth deliberated piracy activities and its effects on the Somali people. Discussions were facilitated by a panel of five young graduates who described piracy “as equal to on-shore robbery”.
Ayan Mohamed Abdullahi from SIMAD University underlined piracy activities brought high inflation on fuel, cars, furniture and properties. “It has caused complete instability in Somalia’s economy to the extent that millions of households are unable to buy decent furniture, let alone other secondary items due to increased prices; it has further brought horrific chaos in the social lines contributing to the collapse of many established families who were perhaps well-off before piracy arrived to our country”.
Among the panel was also Mr. Yusuf Abdullahi who said anti-piracy information campaigns undertook by various local and international organizations almost over-looked the environmental pollution caused by international mafia networks on the Somali waters. “It is unfair that the international community and our own local organizations are over-emphasizing piracy activities at the expense of looming environmental challenges in Somalia; our seas are polluted, no one is talking about it, our fish are over extracted, no one is talking about it, and even with the decline in current piracy activities, we read new warships arriving Somalia to combat piracy, Why?” Yusuf asked.
During the roundtable discussion, participants unanimously agreed that piracy is evil and dangerous; evil in the sense that innocent travelers and goods were taken and never freed until ransom money is paid; it was dangerous at the same time as many young people perished in the high seas while others were jailed in various parts of the world.
Responding to questions regarding reasons for decrease in piracy over the past few years, participants believed it was due to increased information dissemination which had a significant positive change on the society in former pirate hotspots. Khalif Halane, a youth participant from Mogadishu University said “a month ago, cargo ship run short of fuel along the coast of Hobyo where residents provided the ship with free fuel. This was a generous contribution from Hobyo residents, a town once known synonymous with piracy”.
The roundtable discussion recommended that increased parental education is key for stopping potential recruits. The same was also required to rehabilitate and reintegrate former pirates into the society. The panel and participants further wanted government to take the lead in all efforts geared towards the fight against the piracy. However, Dr. Abdulaziz Dhagaqool, director of Public Relations from the department of Social Affiars at the Office of the Prime Minister said “in order for us to protect our natural resources and deny pirates to damage our reputation, young graduates should join the Somali Navy. In this way, we could protect our wealth and image legally” he added.
The event was graced by Mr. Qallocow, Deputy Minister for National Planning, Abdulaziz Dhagaqol, director of public relations and social affairs from the Office of the Prime Minister and Anab Mohamed Osoble, Secretary General for the National Women Organization. All encouraged young people to continue denouncing piracy.