HISTORICAL CONTEXT
After the collapse of the Central government in 1991 and the end of Siad Barre’s regime, which makes the country functionless , There were no navy and law enforcement. This political vacuum gives authority to foreign fishing fleets to exploit the Somali water as much as they can and hence it becomes free for all.Moreover Somali coast becomes the dumping yard for the release of toxic substances which devastated the local livelihood and maritime resources. These types of exploits took a form of anger for local fishermen, later they decided to rebel against these acts to protect and safeguard off their coast and water . Overtime these fishermen noticed that piracy to be a more profitable deal for them .This gives rise to Marine crime initially they attack small fishing boats but by the early 2000s these groups had been involved in highly organised syndicates and started targeting commercial ships
GEOPOLITICS SIGNINACE
Somalia’s unique geographical location makes it as key player in global maritime activities. It has the largest coast in Africa over 3300 KM which connects the Arabian sea to the red sea via babel mandeb straits . This is the gate to suez canal which is one of the busiest and most important shipping lanes which carries over 10% or global trades with the oil barrels containing ships . Somali water becomes the hotspot for the pirates to hijack the commercial ships
MODUS OPERANDI
Somali pirates had a variety of methods and tactics that made them formidable threats to international shipping . They use light weightage fast skiffs loaded with ammunition and RPGs . These swift skiffs give enough power to hit loot and run . Using mothership made of fishing boats or the looted ships which serves as mobile bases was favourite for them . This allowed them to operate hundreds of miles offshore
THE RANSOM GAME
Somali pirates were infamous for their ransom warfare tactics. Hostages taking became the cornerstone of Somali piracy.Pirates would capture the crew and demand a hefty RANSOM, often reaching millions of dollars in exchange for safe release of the crew and the ship . These negotiations with the ship owner took months to execute between this time they treated hostages like a fun time object with frequently enduring harsh and inhumane conditions. This ransom funding became the piracy operation management Funds , it creates a cycle of never-ending piracy