UN: 2 piracy networks operating in Somalia

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UN: 2 piracy networks operating in Somalia
By Edith M. Lederer - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Mar 18, 2009 21:41:22 EDT

UNITED NATIONS — Two main piracy networks are operating in fishing communities on Somalia’s coast, holding ships for millions of dollars in ransom despite stepped up international anti-piracy efforts, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday.

The networks are based in the breakaway northeastern region of Puntland, where the most important pirate group is located in the Eyl district, and in the central Mudug region, where pirates operate mainly from the fishing village of Xarardheere, he said.

“It is widely acknowledged that some of these groups now rival established Somali authorities in terms of their military capabilities and resource,” Ban said.

Somalia is a failed state, beset by 18 years of anarchy, violence and an Islamic insurgency that has killed thousands of civilians and sent hundreds of thousands fleeing for their lives. The departure in December of Ethiopian troops who had been protecting the fragile, U.N.-backed government, left a dangerous power vacuum.

In a report to the Security Council, the U.N. chief said “there is a critical need” to tackle the problem of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia in a coordinated way — by promoting political reconciliation and the establishment of an effective government, supporting African Union peacekeeping efforts, and strengthening law enforcement.


Rest of article at: http://navytimes.com/news/2009/03/ap_somalia_piracy_031809/%2e