This isn’t ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’

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By Quentin Manuel

Piracy is one of those highly romanticized, iconic sort of ideas in America. Not unlike Robin Hood, Americans have really embraced the figure of Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean as that lovable criminal who means more good than harm in his slightly slanted world-view. His criminality is excused because he’s just dealing with puffy British sailors. He even saves the world from sea monsters and skeletal threats. Thank goodness for Jack!

The reality is that pirates are a lot less lovable and a lot more despicable than one might think. When you look at the news these days, pirates are making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Pirates off the coast of Somalia have constantly been in the news this year; they’re making a killing in ransoms for ships they’ve hijacked. Last year, according to BBC, Somalian pirates made over $30 million in ransoms. Sometimes they steal from the rich, like we like to see. Instead of earning pats on the back by doling it out to the poor, however, they’re using their gains for themselves.

There is a diverse group of people benefitting from the ransom money pirates garner. The pirates, I’m sure, enjoy the lion’s share of the money and are using it to build themselves houses, buy themselves cars, and invest in better technology and weaponry in the never ending task of perfecting their craft. Arms merchants stand to make money as long as the pirates enjoy success and as long as the warfare lasts on land in Somalia. Accountants, negotiators and even cooks (to keep hostages alive) stand to earn big money from this business of capturing and ransoming.

Unfortunately, there are so many more people who suffer because of this unrest. The lawlessness of the seas and coastal towns is a reflection of the lawlessness that reigns over Somalia. Without a functioning central government for almost 20 years, Somalia has dissolved into warring factions inland and groups of pirates on the water. These pirates are hijacking ships regardless of who – or what – is aboard. Reports show that up to a third of the population in Somalia depends on foreign food aid to survive. With insurance premiums skyrocketing for ships in that region (and gas prices skyrocketing worldwide), food aid is more expensive to ship. The pirates don’t discriminate targets based on what they carry – they’ve attacked and held ships laden with food designated for their fellow Somalians. What do they care when there is money to be made?

Piracy is a lucrative business for a select few, and a detriment to many. Until order is restored inside Somalia, the pirates on the coast have little to stop them. Several countries are sending warships to the region to attempt to restore order, but it remains to be seen if that will cure the epidemic. It feels more like a band-aid to me (a casual, but concerned observer). The pirates will continue their attacks as long as there is money to be made, and there isn’t much the world can do until the real problem with all of Somalia is dealt with.

Originally Published: Issue 708 - October 15, 2008

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