The Concern that has been shown by various Governments including the United States regarding the numerous Acts of Piracy in the Gulf of Aden has Merit. But such as in similar Crisis Situations it seems that the West and other Maritime Interests would rather address a symptom of the Problem instead of the root cause.
There has not been a Functioning Government in Somalia since the Collapse of the Siad Barre Regime in 1991. Needless to say that there is no way to address Social and Financial Problems that the struggling Fishermen have. The Breakdown in Law and Order in the Country has created a situation where Piracy has become a viable means to support Families and Communities.
So why have the Western and Other Powers suddenly become Galvanized to take action in this situation? Well the Numbers just happen to speak for themselves. In this Calendar Year over 90 vessels have been seized in the Gulf of Aden Region. The payment of subsequent Ransoms to free the Hostages have netted the Pirates an estimated $ 150 (US) so far this year. So several nations have deployed Warships in an attempt to interdict this trade.
We have heard that this is an attempt to solve the Piracy Issue but what about the root cause? There have been Several Recent Reports that indicate that the Transitional National Government (TNG) is on the verge of collapse. Its influence has been degraded to the point that it only maintains Power in both Mogadishu and Baidoa. So if the TFG collapses as many are assuming what will be the next course of action?
In Early 2009 the Breakaway Region of Somaliland will hold Elections for President and Parliament. This region has had a massive PR Campaign to show that it is a Stable Part of Somalia. The Region of Puntland has been agressively targeting the Pirates as well. The Islamists are in Control of Southern Somalia as well so the "Old State" of Somalia may not return at all.
If there is a Solution that unites the Pepetually Clan Driven Politics of Somalia into a Central Government that would be welcome. But it appears that the two year long effort to have the TNG restore a Legitimate Government to Somalia is failing and could collapse in the near future. It is possible that if the TNG falls then the Incidents of Piracy could actually Increase both in numbers and in the specific search of Targets.
Whether or Not the TNG Fails may not be a bad option. Having Three Regional Governments (Somaliland, Puntland and the Islamist South) with Strong Central Powers and Appropiate International Backing and/or Aid May be Something that has to be considered. This could be the impetus for some form of Intervention.
Failure to Address the Problem now could have the Problems Spread to Neighboring States such as Ethiopia, Kenya Eritrea and Yemen. And this will not be a problem that could be easily solved by throwing Money at it. This will require some Nation Building but on what scale has yet to be determined. So It appears that the easy answer is to have Naval Patrols in the Gulf of Aden. But when will the real issue be addressed.
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