Unfortunately, the man is (partially) correct.
The colonial powers (Italy then later Russia) devastated the country for decades.
In the 80’s, the Russians left, but left a cesspool.
Since the early 90’s - the EU has insisted on fishing limits in EU Territorial Waters - and has tacitly encouraged it’s fleet to plunder the waters off Africa!
Illegal dumping in African waters is also a common EU practice.
While there certainly have been formal complaints - I would wager that a few well placed “compensations” have kept the government of Somilia from pressing the issue.
- is the current piracy a “response”? Hardly. The piracy exists for the same reason it always existed everywhere.
- will it stop if “we” pour money on the problem. Hardly.
- will it stop if “we” respect the territorial waters of Somalia (and the rest of Africa). Maybe. At least then, the fisherman and others who rely on the fishing industry will have a chance to make an honest living.
- will this happen. Hardly.
Sounds like a job for all the crazed environmental extremists of the world. Instead of torching cars, tree-sitting or suing over the status of endangered frogs, they should be encouraged to monitor toxic dumping off the coast of Africa: I'm sure the Somalis would be most cooperative. /sarc
I've also read that the piracy is cutting deeply into Egypt's Suez canal revenues, as shippers are taking alternate routes. That will only mean more unrest in Egypt and an increased plea for foreign aid.
Now that's just silly. Everyone knows that the European's are so socially and environmentally progressive, and that we need to be more like them. (Now, where is that article talking about how the Seine River is Europe's Chernobyl....?)