First off, I had to find out where the
place is located. It is on the east side of Africa, in the horn. The accompanying map will clear it up for you if you are geographically vague, as I am about much of the world. It is slightly smaller in land mass than our state of Texas.On its northwest to eastern borders are the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden (where the problems are concentrated), and the Indian Ocean.
Across the Gulf of Aden are Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
There have been 199 incidents and attempts at piracy across the world this year. 63 out of those 199 events have occurred in the Gulf of Aden.
From whom are they stealing ? 90% of India's foreign trade volume goes through this region.
How did this get started? In 1991, the last "permanent" government of Somalia imploded, and along with it went Somalia's military. The waters around Somalia are rich in tuna. Absent a deterrent force, illegal plundering of the waters began. Somalia's fishing industry took matters in its own hands and went to sea to combat the illegals, and the pirate nation was born.
From the initial "fines" that were levied on the illegal fishing boats, the pirates have upgraded over the years to seizing multi-million dollar cargo shipments and demanding multi-million dollar ransoms. Late in September of this year, Somali pirates seized a Ukranian ship loaded with $30 million worth of military equipment. They have offered it up for a $20 million ransom.
Somali pirates are currently holding 12 ships and 200 crewmen for ransom. Armed with grenade launchers and rockets, the pirates have become quite brazen, recently doing a thirty minute phone interview with the New York Times.
Somalia was formed in 1961 when Italy and Great Britain each renounced their holdings of parts of the territory. A Somali government was put in place and stayed there until 1969, when the president was assasinated. Maj0r General Mohamed Siad Barre seized the presidency, a position he held until 1991, at which time he abdicated. The following year was marked by civil war and a severe drought that claimed 300,000 lives. American troops went in in 1992 to protect humanitarian shipments and became themselves victims of the violence, exiting for good the following year. The film Black Hawk Down was based on events of this time period. Since 1991 there has been a succession of failed governments.
Facts about this unfortunate place:
- Population is estimated at 9.5 million. The population is nomadic and subject to relocation in response to the country's ongoing internal violence, so an accurate count is impossible.
- The prevalent religion is Sunni Muslim
- The literacy rate is about 38% overall, 50% for males and 26% for females.
- The legal system is a mixture of English common law, Italian law, Islamic Sharia, and Somali customary law.
- There is no formal banking system. Money exchanges have emerged in its absence.
- Exports include livestock (65% of total export earnings), hides, bananas, fish and charcoal.
- The capital city is Mogadishu. Here is an excerpt from the WikiTravel posting for Mogadishu:
WARNING: Mogadishu is regarded as the most lawless and dangerous city on Earth. It is not safe for leisure or toursim. If you are planning a visit for international aid work, etc., you will need expert advice and planning.
- Despite the absence of a government and the endless fighting, the country has a healthy "informal" economy.
- In Mogadishu, hotels continue to operate. They are protected by private militias.
- There is virtually no industry today. Most of of the machinery was looted and sold for scrap.
- There are, nationwide, -0- AM radio stations, 1 FM station, 3 TV stations, a half million radios and 150,000 TV sets. I wonder if they get I Love Lucy reruns...
- There are 3 internet service providers and a few hundred internet users.
- There are about 1,500 miles of paved roads.
- There are 60 airports in Somalia. 7 of them have paved runways.
That is all. Yar!
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