Islamic court removed pirates' threat: Council

[N.O.R.F]

Islamic court removed pirates' threat: Council

By Riyasbabu

 

15 October 2006

 

 

DUBAI — The Somali Business Council in Dubai yesterday claimed that threat posed by pirates to cargo vessels sailing through the Horn of Africa was almost eliminated after the Islamic Court assumed charge in Somalia.

 

 

The Somali pirates were a nightmare for cargo vessels sailing to the Horn of Africa especially into the Somali territorial waters. Recently, two UAE ships — MV Al Taj and Lin1 — were hijacked by Somali pirates. Both the vessels were released only after the owners paid a ransom, he added.

 

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Sheriff Ahmad, Chairman of Somali Business Council in Dubai, said “A total of 11 gangsters have fled from the Somali coast after the Islamic court assumed power in Mogadishu. The two Somali ports of Mogadishu and Kisamayu are currently under the Islamic Court ruleâ€

 

As a result, he said that transport of all cargo from the UAE to Somalia was normalised.

 

“Following the hijacking of the two vessels, the vessel owners in the UAE were reluctant to bring cargo to Somali ports." "However, now the scenario has changed and vessel owners are sending their vessels into this area restarting the trade between Somalia and UAE,†he said.

 

“The situation in Somalia is completely under Islamic court's control. Now the court is trying build up a good security system. The international community should lend its support to the court," Sheriff added.

 

According to him, several cargo vessels are sailing to Somalia especially from India and UAE.

 

Earlier, it was difficult for the traders to do business as small groups had set up check posts in their territory and levied taxes on the businessman, he said.

 

He pointed out that the main problem facing the traders now was the high insurance premium demanded by the insurance companies.

 

"If we are forced to pay high insurance premium, it will affect the price of commodities. The Insurance companies should look into the changing situation and reduce the insurance premiums,†he said.

 

Khaleej Times

[Jabhad]

Monday, October 16, 2006

 

 

SOMALIA'S new Islamic rulers have rid the country of the pirates who terrorised 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 specialises 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 kilometres 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