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Diplomacy a weapon against piracy?
May. 13th, 2009 08:37 pmA non-violent (or less violent) method of reducing the problem of pirates in the Horn of Africa came to me recently: recognize the independence of Somaliland.
Somaliland is a portion of Somalia that's farther inland, being located in the Gulf of Aden rather than the open sea. It's a breakaway state that considers itself the successor to the colony of British Somaliland (the rest of the country being the former Italian Somaliland). It declared independence in 1991, but has not been recognized by any nation or international political body.
It occurs to me that a promise (and action!) of recognition for Somaliland would be a prime weapon in the fight against piracy. We give them the recognition they want (and, by all accounts, deserve), and perhaps a little financial incentive, in exchange for their help in combating the pirates operating off the Horn of Africa. When it's a choice between aiding violent criminals and receiving international recognition and aid, there's no contest.
I'm not sure how it would affect the ongoing hostilities in Somalia--probably make the bloodbath even worse. On the other hand, I'm not sure the country has much to lose.
Somaliland is a portion of Somalia that's farther inland, being located in the Gulf of Aden rather than the open sea. It's a breakaway state that considers itself the successor to the colony of British Somaliland (the rest of the country being the former Italian Somaliland). It declared independence in 1991, but has not been recognized by any nation or international political body.
It occurs to me that a promise (and action!) of recognition for Somaliland would be a prime weapon in the fight against piracy. We give them the recognition they want (and, by all accounts, deserve), and perhaps a little financial incentive, in exchange for their help in combating the pirates operating off the Horn of Africa. When it's a choice between aiding violent criminals and receiving international recognition and aid, there's no contest.
I'm not sure how it would affect the ongoing hostilities in Somalia--probably make the bloodbath even worse. On the other hand, I'm not sure the country has much to lose.
