Little Shops of Horrors
I’ve been remiss in blogging this noteworthy story of the really free market in Somalia:
But in northern coastal towns like Haradhere, Eyl and Bossaso, the pirate economy is thriving thanks to the money pouring in from pirate ransoms that have reached $30 million this year alone.
In Haradhere, residents came out in droves to celebrate as the looming oil ship came into focus this week off the country’s lawless coast. Businessmen started gathering cigarettes, food and cold glass bottles of orange soda, setting up small kiosks for the pirates who come to shore to re-supply almost daily.
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The attackers generally treat their hostages well in anticipation of a big payday, hiring caterers on shore to cook spaghetti, grilled fish and roasted meat that will appeal to a Western palate. They also keep a steady supply of cigarettes and drinks from the shops on shore.
Claims of fair treatment aren’t shared by all of the pirates’ prisoners, and you can ask these two journalists how they feel about being kidnapped at gunpoint. Still and all, I think it’s a fascinating tale of trickle-down economics. So in an effort to engender something besides the sound of crickets in the Crispy comments, I submit this question for discussion: Are these corsair towns hives of scum and villainy to be eradicated without prejudice, or should the pirates and their camp followers be allowed to exist, with the ransoms acting as a sort of foreign aid for the Somali food-service industry?
Photo credit “Big Daddy” Nelson, who sold me more than a bottle of rum.
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teqjack
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Winn
