BOSSASO, Somalia (AP) – A parcel of land here that sold for $12,000 two years ago now costs more than $20,000. The price of a nice pair of men’s shoes has gone up from $20 to $50.The reason: pirates.
The influx of millions of dollars in ransoms has changed life in this coastal Muslim community, driving prices up and creating a schism between the pirate haves and have-nots. As piracy ramps up again with the end of the monsoon season, the lifestyle of the pirates—big houses, fast cars and easy drugs—is decried by both religious leaders and ordinary villagers.
“The use of drugs such as cannabis and the drinking of alcohol, sex and other obnoxious misconduct are now becoming common within the pirates, causing social problems,” said Sheikh Ahmed, a mosque leader in the town of Galkayo. “That is what is worrying us, a lot more than the risk they pose to the foreign ships and crew.”
Just last month, pirates were paid a reported $3.3 million to release 36 crew members from a Spanish vessel held hostage for more than six weeks. Pirates stand to make tens of thousands from the payment, money that will pulse through the community in gifts, loans and payments to family, friends and businessmen.
The European Union Naval Force says pirates now hold 11 ships and 264 crew members hostage off the coast of Somalia. There is little doubt that more ransom money is coming.
“There is mad money circulating here, and it affects everybody—directly or indirectly,” said Haji Said, a hotel owner.
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Who says crime doesn’t pay?
It is amazing that the civilized world cannot do anything about piracy. Losers are in charge, we need leaders.
What we need Philanthropist are leaders who aren’t afraid of being called a “racist” whenever we need to do something in the interest of Western Civilisation.
Piracy built Western civilization
Thats right Cy, just ask north american aboriginals and american decendants of Black slavery.
That, and simply the fact that Europe had no real advantages over the Islamic world or China until it started stockpiling gold from the Americas, which fueled its ability to speacialize and do more research. That gold was not obtained by European powers via trade, but by conquest of the Amerindians and stealing from one another a.k.a piracy. Strange of Mr.G et al to go on the way they do when their culture idolizes the pirate image (Captain Cook, Blackbeard, “Pirates of the Caribbean” etc)
First of all,for every Negro enslaved by the White man,3 Whites were enslaved by non-white muslims at the exact same time in history.
Second,for every White “pirate” out sailing the oceans blue,there were 5 non-white pirates doing the same.
Cy Says:
“That, and simply the fact that Europe had no real advantages over the Islamic world or China…..”
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HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve said it before and I will say it again:
Cynapse,you write comedic gold!