Call for action

It took a while, but finally the United Nations (UN) has called for action against the Somali pirates who are terrorising the Gulf of Aden. The UN resolution was adopted unanimously by all members calling on "States with naval vessels and military aircraft operating off the Somali coast to use all necessary means against acts of piracy".

Normally, I do not agree with the use of military force. However, in this case, the surge of piracy in the busy waters of the Gulf of Aden, has provided a serious cause for concern. Attacks on trade vessels carrying civilians of various nationalities, hijacking these ships and putting the hostages at gunpoint are, to me at least, uncivilised and uncalled for. Not only are trading countries affected, but lives of these civilians who work on board these vessels are also at risk.

It is even more worrying when these pirates managed to hijack a vessel carrying tanks and weaponry. I hope that with this UN resolution, the threat posed by the pirates could be negated or at least, reduced. And more importantly, at the same time, the UN must also look at the root cause of it all. Lawlessness, poverty and lack of an effective government in Somalia should also be taken care of. Somalis turn to piracy in part because the activity is lucrative. Unless this is changed, I doubt we'll really see the end of the Somali pirates.