Two Somali fishermen, their faces obscured by large scarves, enter a room cautiously for a clandestine meeting. They are here to share with me the reasons behind their recent decision to become armed pirates, seeking million-dollar ransoms.
“We are willing to speak on record – we agree,” one of them informs me as they nervously settle in for an interview that has been months in the making in the coastal town of Eyl. This behavior is a stark contrast to the boldness of the pirates who once ruled this historic port nestled between dry mountains on Somalia’s Indian Ocean coast.
Known as “Harunta Burcadda” – the Pirate Capital, Eyl was a strategic base for pirates during the early to mid-2000s piracy boom. They targeted container ships and oil tankers, causing shipping companies to alter their routes. The lack of authority from regional officials and the fear of the local police force allowed piracy to thrive, with businesses in the town benefiting from ransom payments totaling millions of dollars.
However, the tide turned when international navies began patrolling the waters off Somalia, and the Puntland Maritime Police Force established a presence in Eyl. While many welcomed the crackdown on piracy due to the negative impacts it brought, such as inflation, drugs, and alcohol, the resentment towards foreign fishing vessels remained strong among the local fishermen.
Farah and Diiriye, two former fishermen turned pirates, share their grievances with me. They recount instances of their livelihood being stolen by foreign trawlers, leading them to take up arms in retaliation. Their aim is not to kill but to secure resources through piracy, targeting medium-sized vessels deep in the Indian Ocean.
With the resurgence of pirate attacks in recent years, fueled by funding from investors and armed with weapons like AK-47s and rocket launchers, piracy continues to pose a threat to maritime security in the region. The legacy of piracy in Eyl is marked by the prevalence of alcohol and drugs, impacting the community’s well-being.
As I listen to the stories of those affected by piracy, from grieving widows to disillusioned former pirates, the complex dynamics of this coastal town come to light. The struggle for survival and justice intertwine in the lives of its residents, shaping the ongoing narrative of piracy in Eyl.