Fear Of Islamic Law Scares Off Pirates
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Somali pirates photographed by a passenger on the luxury cruise liner Seabourn Spirit last November. |
Nairobi , October 16, 2006 – SOMALIA'S new Islamic rulers have rid the country of the pirates who terrorized cruise ships and freighters off its shores.
Ever since the east African nation's collapse into lawlessness 15 years ago, its 4000-kilometre coast has provided a haven for armed buccaneers who use high-speed launches to rob passing craft.
But since Somalia's new Islamic Courts Union seized control of Mogadishu and much of the south of the country in June, piracy has been virtually wiped out under threat of tough sharia punishments.
The crackdown was highlighted in a recent report by the Merchant International Group, which specializes in advising companies on trading in hot spots around the world.
"The spread of Islamist rule in Somalia under the Islamic Courts Union merits particular attention," the group said. "Over 40 attacks on vessels were reported in and around Somali waters between March 2005 and July 2006, but not a single act of piracy in the area has been reported in the months since."
Somali piracy made headlines last November when boatloads of bandits armed with machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades attacked the American-operated luxury cruise liner Seabourn Spirit 70 nautical miles off the coast.
Tourists on board told how they feared for their lives until the ship's crew managed to drive the pirates away using a special sonic gun that emitted an ear-splitting high-decibel noise.
As a precaution, the International Maritime Bureau has been advising shipping to keep at least 160 kilometers off the Somali coast.
The drop in incidents of piracy mirrors the Islamic Courts Union's success in restoring law and order onshore. Until this northern summer, Somalia was largely under the control of competing warlords. Many of the pirate outfits are believed to have belonged to warlord militias.
While critics say the Islamic Courts Union is an al-Qaeda-linked movement that plans to bring in tough Taliban-style social restrictions, including banning films and music, many ordinary Somalis believe it is the only alternative to anarchy.
The drop in piracy is attributed to threats to punish anyone involved with execution or amputation.
Source: Telegraph, Oct. 16, 2006
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