Many countries around the world know about the numerous issues Africa has been dealing with for years. However, only a few countries know what specific problems the African people of Somalia live through every day. The problems that occur in Somalia not only affect how the citizens live, but their mental and physical appearances. Somalia is a country located on the east coast of Africa, opening them up to major issues with piracy. Piracy causes chaos to Somalia and prevents the country from focusing on more important matters. Worldwide political issues and governmental problems also affect how Somalia works and the citizens live. The weak government invites attacks from other African countries and leads to rash decisions when in moments of crisis. Somalia is faced with health issues, mostly due to lack of resources, which causes the deaths of millions every year. The major issues that affect Somalia are piracy, governmental problems, and widespread health issues.
For years, the pirates of Somalia have been the predator of the seas, hijacking ships and making millions of money every year. Piracy has become a major threat to both the Somalis and international ships that pass through the area. Armed, Somali pirates easily took over the crews and control of huge ships, holding them hostages until they received the money they demanded. A crew from Germany reported “[they were] under fire from pirates armed with bazookas and machine guns…boarded the pirate vessel and took the nine into custody”.1 Unfortunately for the crew, all the contact information is aboard the ship. Therefore it makes it easier for the pirates to negotiate for their money. The pirates are said to never negotiate money themselves and instead use a middle man. As F...
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Hunter, Robyn. "BBC NEWS | Africa | How Do You Pay a Pirate's Ransom?" BBC News - Home. Bbc.com. Web. 31 Oct. 2011. .
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Menkhaus, Ken. "Governance without Government in Somalia." International Security 31.3 (2007): 74-106. Www.mitpressjournals.com. MIT Press Journals, 16 Jan. 2007. Web. 20 Oct. 2011. .
My family and I are originally came from Somalia and before the downfall of the government and the break out of the civil war. My family was facing something far worse than war in my mind and that something is classism. In Somalia, everyone belongs to a tribe and depending on what tribe you are born into will determine what your fate or future looks like. Your tribe will determine where you can live, what kind of education you can receive, and even who you can marry. I know this way of life is hard to fathom in the United States, but in Somalia is a way of life and the harsh truth. Your fated is seal before you even come into this world and that is why there still a 22 year old war is continuing. The people of Somalia want to fight Classism
Civil War is another shared similarity between both Somalia and the United States. In 1991, following the overthrow of the dictator, Siad Barre, Somalia descended into anarchy. With no government presence to maintain some type of order, clan-based warlords began competing with each other, thus beginning civil unjust. While northern parts of Somalia, as well as the self-declared “Republic of Somaliland,” have remained somewhat peaceful, internal fighting flares up with little to no warning. Since 1991, it is estimated that 350, 000 to 1,000,000 Somalia’s have died due to the lack...
The purpose of this document is to discuss the horrible acts one may recognize as the genocide in Somalia. One may deliberate regularly on the reasons or circumstances that lead to the mistreatment and killings of a whole country; how could this happen? Why are no other countries willing to step in and give aid to the Somali people whom are suffering on a daily basis? In reality, many concerns have been addressed, whether by discussions or actions. There may be different philosophies or viewpoints as to why the genocide was conducted and not stopped. Genocide is a cruel and inhumane event and is a world problem.
Before the war, Somalia had a well-functioning democratic republic government. Under the 1979 Constitution, the president held executive power. The president was the head and leader of the country’s sole legal political party, The Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party. Elected to serve a 7-year term, the president was nominated by the party’s central committee. Ever since the civil war in 1991, when the government collapsed, Somalia has been in a state of civil war and anarchy (“Somalian Government”).
At that time in the early 1990’s, the U.S. was the only superpower country left in the world. The Soviet Union collapsed after the Cold War and the left the U.S. at the top. With the U.S. being the only superpower left, it meant that they were the only ones who could try to keep peace between other countries and hopefully end violence in the world. At the time, Somalia was a complete disaster and still is to this day. They have no structural government and warlords rule parts of the country.
Friedman, U. (2011, July 19). What It took for the U.N to declare famine in Somalia. Retrieved
The Horn of Africa is also a hotspot for piracy, primarily Somali pirates (Kraska 2011). In 2010, Somali pirates successfully attacked 219 ships on the waters around the Horn of Africa (up two from the previous year) and have expanded their operations to roughly 2,500 miles from Somalia’s coast (Kraska 2011). Successful captures of vessels usually include many hostages that can be held for ransom. The number of hostages held by pirates in Somalia increased from 263 in 2009 to 1,181 in 2010 (Kraska 2011).
Phillips, Richard, and Stephan Talty. A captain's duty: Somali pirates, Navy Seals, and dangerous days at sea. New York: Hyperion, 2010.
The Somali were struggling and since there was no one to aid them with their struggle for a secure government, the United States and United Nations began aiding the Somali people. The U.S. and the U.N. sent out deliveries of necessities the Somali people need to live off of, but warlords attempted to cut off the deliveries for the people, which infuriated the U.N. and U.S., who began to fight back against the warlords, causing greater tension in the capital. Aideed, a warlord, shot down two Black Hawk Helicopters, leading to the death of eighteen U.S. soldiers and hundreds of Somali people. The fighting continued, leaving multitudes of deaths on both sides of the war. After years of endless fighting, the United Nations and United States tried to the best of their abilities to aid Somalia and its corrupt government, however in the end, they were unable to find a solution to assist
"Somalia: 50,000 Children at Risk, Gov't and UN Seek Aid amid New Crises and Donor Fatigue." Fox News. FOX News Network, 25 Feb. 2014. Web. 07 Mar. 2014.
Tharoor, Ishaan. "How Somalia's Fishermen Became Pirates." Time. Time Inc., 18 Apr. 2009. Web. 08 Feb. 2014.
Weak and failed states share many common characteristics. One of the most common features of a weak state is the presence of persistent violence. This violence is in the form of civil wars and civil unrest, this is an indicator that a government has lost legitimacy as well as control over some parts of territory. Other features include a weak bureaucracy that is very susceptible to corruption especially corruption from non-state actors such as terrorists and warlords. As the government’s power and influence continues to decline, citizens turn to these non-s...
Although Britain cannot be blamed though for lack of trying, piracy still exists today. Yet, because the act continues at sea often far from land, it gains little media attention, and therefore less action from governments. China, despite being a number one producer of pirates, continues to deny that there is a problem while at the same time often pardoning those who are caught. Countries such as Indonesia and Philippines, which have been hardest hit in the past few years by pirates, are looking for international assistance. The West is, of course, looked to for solutions yet choose seemingly chooses to turn a blind eye, perhaps in the name of diplomacy. When the world is ready to combat the perpetual problem of piracy, it may discover that by intertwining tougher policies aimed at dealing with piracy with current or future trade negotiations, productive steps can be taken to initiate plans to curtail modern day sea wolves who prey on the helpless. The suggestion of ‘Piracy Charters’ will be discussed further as the means of which to add the topic of to multilateral agreements.
Wendt, A. (1992). “Anarchy Is What States Make of It: The Social Construction of Power Politics,” International Organization, 46(2), pp. 391-425.