AfricaNews Somalia expert Muhyadin Ahmed Roble spoke to Professor Abdurahman M. Abdullahi (Baadiyow), who is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mogadishu University on the way forward. He is a prominent peace activist and scholar. He writes on variety of issues, particularly on Islam and its modern development in Somalia.

AfricaNews: What is your view about the pirates’ call that Russia executed some of their colleague and others sentenced to death in Yemen among others?

Prof Abdurahman: When a country had experienced lawlessness for a long period, its citizens undertake every possible illegal action and the onus lies with other nations to intervene. Somalia has lost control of its territory making it possible for other countries to move in freely. Piracy is as a result of lawlessness and the Somali state has no capacity to restore the rule of law while other countries has no will to support the Somalis sufficiently. As a result, haphazard measures are often applied to the Somali citizens by other countries including their execution and detaining without due legal procedures.

AfricaNews: Why do you think most of the pirates are young?

Prof Abdurahman: Somali youth are victims of continuous wars for more than 20 years. They have been mobilized in the name clan hegemony or clan protection during the dominance of the warlords and now in the name of misunderstood Islam. This young generation of Somalis continuously attempts to escape their plights looking for opportunities world-wide through illegal migrations.

AfricaNews: So what pushes these young boys to be pirates?
Prof Abdurahman: The primary factors are of course lack of education, unemployment and breakdown in the rule of law in Somalia. It may be also partially a lust for getting rich easily disregarding dangers they normally encounter. On the other hand, they may be justifying their actions as a noble cause of defending their territorial waters because its national state failed to do so.

AfricaNews: Are they doing the country good or bad?

Prof Abdurahman: It’s difficult to tell because there is no scientific proof to gauge the advantages and disadvantages in the economy sector. However, I consider their actions had brought international attention to the plight of Somali people engulfed in the civil war and endless conflict for more than 20 years. Moreover, there is no doubt, that their actions expanded Somali crisis and made it international. Furthermore, their actions further damage already tarnished image of Somalia in the world arena.

AfricaNews: Any idea how they spend the ransom money?

Prof Abdurahman: They spend ransom money in every possible sector. Of course, some of this money is paid to the needy families and relatives devastated by the civil war and displaced by the continuous wars. Others are invested for more sophisticated equipment and weaponry to be used for the continuation of their business. Others may be used for investment in the different sectors in Somalia. It is very difficult undertaking to trace the routes of the money.

AfricaNews: What do you make of government’s vow to end piracy?

Prof Abdurahman: It is wishful thinking and they cannot end piracy easily as they claim. Most likely, piracy problems will continue until Somali crisis ends and responsible government is installed in Somalia that is capable to protect its citizens, restore rule of law and have the capacity to guard its coasts. The long coast of Somalia, which is more than 3000 km, will be used by the pirates. They tactically withdraw from one place to another whenever they encounter external threats. Also, they use clan factor for protection in their home territories.

AfricaNews: Can the international community win the war against piracy?

Prof Abdurahman: No! They cannot win this war as their rule of engagement does not address the roots of the problem. If they change their rule of engagement they have the capacity to do so. What they are doing now is simply to curb some of their activities by putting obstacles to the proliferation of the piracy.

AfricaNews: Any suggestions how piracy could be stopped in Somalia?

Prof Abdurahman: If the strong nations of the world are keen on ending the problem, then they have to help Somali people to establish a functional government by empowering Somali national security forces, abstain from illegal fishing and seize dumping toxic waste in the Somali waters. Their efforts now do not solve the root cause of the situation.

AfricaNews: What about illegal fishing and dumping of toxic waste in Somali waters?

Prof Abdurahman: Illegal fishing and dumping toxic waste in Somalia waters encourage and motivate young Somali patriots to take the law into their hand. They see the international community as hypocrites who disregard Somali interest while focusing on pursuing their economic and security interest.

AfricaNews: Do you share the views of the pirates who claim they are "coastguards?"

Prof Abdurahman: This statement may be one of the motivating factors, but there are many other factors which are higher in the priority such as to survive, gain riches, have better live, support families and so on.