Somali_Piracy_Soulution

Nkozi Stewart Mr. Dorsi 912 March 14, 2010 Action Plan Part 2- Somali Piracy Solution Since 1991, Somalia has limped along a brutal path of clans at war with each other, separatist movements, and failed Western interventions. Today, the lack of central authority and an effective Western involvement has caused Somalia’s anarchy to reach beyond its coastline. Now piracy is not only disrupting international trade and territorial waters that lie across one of the world’s busiest maritime intersections (the Red Sea), it is preventing the flow of the humanitarian aid to several million Somalis on the verge of starvation. Although some people in Somalia are prospering by these pirates actions, the majority of people are still living in poverty. Citizens of Somalia may want to speak against these rebels, but fear for their lives. Even there own capital city isn’t safe anymore! To stop piracy in Somalia the US Navy (or any other navy) taking action is not the answer. If the pirates take over a ship, the United States will put themselves in a hostage situation, which will risk the lives of a crew for a second time. Another wrong answer to end piracy is having other nations entering into negotiation for the return of their ships, goods and men. Paying pirates is an extraordinarily poor decision. To end piracy in Somalia there is no military solution because it will only win the pirates more support and sustain the current state of mayhem. If the military was to take action, it will start a war with a poverty ridden country where almost half their population is under 15. There are many steps that need to be taken before the Somali pirates can be stopped. The first step that needs to be taken is to end the famine that Somalia is experiencing. In the past, the United States military attempted to end the famine but were killed while food lords emerged. Since most Somali’s hate the United States, we should use one of their allies to speak to them. For example, Saudi Arabia is one of their allies and happens to be one of our allies too. Saudi Arabia can try to convince the Somali rebels to put their guns down for a moment and listen to what the United States and the rest of the world has to say. Another step that needs to be taken to guarantee the end of piracy is to ensure safe passage for humanitarian aid and to sign a security treaty with the Somali unity government. Although Somalia doesn’t have a centralized government, they have a government that is trying to bring peace but to no avail. Normally if help (aid) for the country is sent, the pirates would refuse to let the ship get into the country. Eventually the ship would return where it came from after a couple weeks. The United States needs to make sure that these supplies make it to the country safely. If Somalia and the United States sign a security treaty, this would not only mark the first time the United States signed any treaty with Somalia, but it would send a peace message to the rest of the Muslim world (the Middle East). This treaty will show that America is ready to establish a proper relationship with anyone experiencing dilemma of a common interest. Once this treaty is signed, the United States can begin to assist Somalia in coming out of its poverty. One more step that can be taken to end the pirate problem in Somalia is to use legal action in order to freeze and confiscate resources. By that I mean, the United States, or another country, should take possession of the weapons that the pirates are paying for so that the pirates have no choice but to listen to what we have to say. The Somali pirates are known for their stubbornness and there disregard for others. We must not stoop to their level by doing cruel actions despite the consequences. It is crucial to talk to them about the solution we are making because it is unethical to force a nation to believe what another nation believes. Another step that needs to be taken to ensure the solution works is to help build a Somali navy so they can protect its own waters. If we help form a Somali navy, it will show that we are willing to help Somalia. Instead of making an international conflict with the Europeans and spending an enormous amount of money, the United States should help construct a Somali navy. If there is a navy, then Somalia will have a voice that would speak up for them in a crisis. Since Somalia claims Europeans dump nuclear waste in their waters illegally, now they can ask them to stop politely or with force. One last step that needs to be taken to ensure a solution to end piracy in Somalia is to introduce a United Nations bill that mandates an immense international effort to clean the barrels and containers of radioactive materials dumped in Somali waters. This should be done to show Somalia the rest of the world cares about there safety. By doing this last step out of generosity, it shows Somalia that the rest of the world is willing to spend money to help clean up their coast. All these steps need to be taken before the pirates can be stopped. We must persuade the rebels with words and not violence. If we were to force the rebels to believe what we believe is right, there would be a raging war in return. Besides, this war would be a pointless loss of young lives. The war would be meaningless because throughout history, forced equality never works. Bibliography For Somalian Piracy 1. http://towardfreedom.com/home/content/view/1567/1/ 2. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/22/content_10395428.htm 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piracy_in_Somalia 4. http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/01/02/somalia.hijacking/index.html 5. http://www.youtube.com/watch'v=PjAhAJVSgLM 6. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1892376,00.html 7. http://www.wired.com/politics/security/news/2009/04/somali_pirates 8. http://www.somalipirate.com/ 9. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107979.html 10. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/so.html