It's official: Somalia's two major pirate networks have at least tacit (or perhaps even explicit) support of regional government officials as they wreak havoc on one of the world's busiest shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden. Puntland, a semi-autonomous (and relatively peaceful) state in Somalia's northeastern tip, has a rather functional government that has managed to avoid Mogadishu-like chaos in recent years. But now, a U.N. report from the office of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon cites "increasing reports of complicity by members of the Somali region of Puntland administration in piracy activities."
Bad news for Puntland and Somali PR (though the country's reputation doesn't have much room left to fall). But in fact, this is no big surprise. As in any war zone, everyone -- including the government -- is desperate to survive. Of course, cooperating with pirates is just lucrative. Given how well-armed the bucaneers are though, I imagine that complicity is a matter of necessity rather than choice. I am the last one to justify pirate-aiding, but imagine this decision: allow the pirates to operate, or allow a gun barrel to meet you in your office. Not too difficult.
It's also possible that the Puntland government, like the rest of Somalia, is simply starved for revenue. The central government recently made an arrangment with Kenya to collect taxes on imports, like the $300,000 per day trade in the stimulant khat, on Somalia's behalf. As Tim Geithner can attest, nothing spawns creativity like an empty treasury account.
Of course, knowing that at least a small part of the booty from their kidnap might fund a legitimate Somali government will be no comfort to the Greek cargo ship seized by pirates today.
For more on the not-quite-country of Somalia, check out FP contributor Jeffrey Gettleman's new Web-exclusive piece on what makes it such a fascinating place to report on.
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