The second part of the deal is finally fulfilled and the wait is over. Yes, we are talking about piracy and the agreement between Mauritius and U.K, signed by David Cameron, which stipulates that Mauritius is to act as a platform to judge Somalian Pirates. Those regarded as scums of the seas, captured by the Americans, landed in Mauritius and are now awaiting trial. Can we really believe that Mauritius is the key for stopping piracy in the Indian Ocean?
Friday 25 January 2013 – A day to be revered for the fight against piracy
In a rather Hollywood Style Scenario, we were able to witness the arrival of 12 Somalian Pirates at SSR International Airport, escorted by French soldiers. Mauritius pulled out all the stops, by deploying the Special Support Unit (SSU) responsible for escorting the prisoners to Alcatraz jail at the Line Barracks. As usual, high profile international officers were present to see that everything abides by the protocols. In order to ensure the safe passage of the escort vehicles, police officers were placed at strategic locations, from Plaisance to Port Louis.
The Fate of the Somalian Pirates
Remanded to cell on Saturday 28 January 2013, the fate of the Somalian Pirates will be in the hands of judge Prithviraj Fekna. Pirates, who are found guilty may face life imprisonment at the Central Jail of Beau-Bassin, under the Piracy and Maritime Violence Act. For this purpose, a special ward has been built for them, so as they never come into contact with Mauritian prisoners. Those deemed as innocent will be repatriated to Somalia.
The Somalians Were Never Born Pirates
There is one question that everyone is asking themselves. How did Somalians turned to piracy. One is not born with pirate blood. Something must have happened for them to engage into piracy. Most of these pirates were fishermen, who used to live a peaceful life. Deprived of their daily livelihood by the European nations who are constantly dumping heavy toxic destroyed Somalia’s fish hub. As a means of retaliation and in order to earn money for their families, the fishermen converted themselves into pirates and took to the seas to attack ships.
Fight Against Poverty or Piracy
Mauritius stood up to be the platform to judge the Somalian pirates. The government received 4.5 million Euros from the European Union to build up infrastructures and to set up a team to deal with the Somalian pirates. Can we really think that our small country has the means to fight against these pirates? The best solution would have been to eradicate the problem at source which would be eliminating poverty in Somalia whereby no one would have volunteered to indulge into piracy. But then, it’s Somalia. Is there anything to say more?
Possible Trade off
Whenever politicians are offered colossal amount of money, they immediately forget about the safety of the country. With Mauritius as a platform to judge Somalian Pirates, we must expect retaliation at some point in time, especially if the Somalian pirates are linked to “Al-Qaeda”. On the other hand if this could act as deterrent to future pirates, then the Indian Ocean will be a safer sea for ships.
The Pirates of Somalia Part 1 has been aired in Mauritius. Lets hopes that Mauritius is not engulfed into destruction at the end of the trilogy. What is your opinion?