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SOMALIA: PIRATES THREATEN TO KILL HOSTAGES September 13, 2005
Somali pirates who call themselves volunteer national coastguards threatened today to kill one hostage everyday until their demands are met and ransom money paid. They are holding three foreign fishing vessels and 48 Asian fishermen near the southern port of Kismayo. According to Somali local website (sbconline.net in Somali language), one hostage will be killed daily until $500,000 ransom is paid.
The commander of the nearest militia with authority in the region said he doesn’t have enough resources to send out rescue mission. JVA (Jubba Valley Alliance) leader Mr. Barre Adan Shire (Hirale) said although he would love to intervene and do something, his men are not equipped for sea rescue missions. The captors belong to Br. Barre’s JVA and the only viable solution for him is through negotiation. Punishing them in any way would be a political burden and could lead the disintegration of his JVA.
Somali interim government officials in Jowhar said the area of the incident is out of their control and there’s little they can do except try to persuade the captors to free their hostages.
Nationalities of the hostages are Chinese, Taiwanese, Indonesian and Vietnam.
At one time the ransom money was decreased from $500,000 to only $50,000. But, involved fishing firms who ventured into Somalia waters at their own risk did not take that opportunity to save the lives of those poor fishermen who have been held at gunpoint since August 15.
The interim government is still in its infancy stage and doesn’t have the ability to guard its territorial waters or regulate fishing. Foriegn fishing companies are discouraged to fish in Somalia waters illegaly.
Related:
Another vessel falls victim to Somalia’s sea pirates
Somalia: Kismayo at crossroads
Somalia waters and airspace polluted by foreign vessels and aircraft