Somali Ex-Colonel: 'Our problem is not piracy, it is illegal dumping of toxic wastes'

The world is focused on the piracy in African coastal areas, but Somalis say there is illegal dumping of toxic wastes and heavy foreign fishing.

BBC spoke to Somalis and asked their views about the piracy problems in the sea. They have a completely different view about the situation compared to the rest of the world. Ex-Somali Army Colonel Mohamed Nureh Abdulle lives near the area where the hijacked Saudi oil tanker is moored in Harardhere. He told BBC the citizens in the area are more concerned about the illegal toxic wastes that are dumped near their shores than the current piracy problems. He said piracy used to be a big problem before but it has not happened recently because of internal strife since 1991 when the last government was in place. Those who raid the ships are not Somalis and don't come from the region, according to Abdulle. Abdulle said the main problem for them is the illegal dumping. He claims the U.S. and the world knows about the issue and officials refuse to do anything to stop it. He said the world only talks about the pirates and the money involved, not the illegal dumping and foreign fishing in the area. He said the dumping has been going on for years and most of the waste is washed ashore, making nearby people sick. A few nights ago, some ships came near their shore and were leaking chemicals into the water and air. Since, many have been getting mysterious illnesses. It is affecting their work and the animals they have to take care of. The animals also get sick after drinking the tainted water. Previously the Somalis were involved in fishing but since the foreign ships are fishing heavily near their areas with big nets and wiping out fish supplies in the area, they are resorting to other jobs. Many have switched to farming and growing livestock. The United Nation should investigate and see who are involved in piracy, dumping of toxic wastes and illegal fishing in the area, the ex-colonel says. Also, read the article "Is Toxic Waste Behind Somali Piracy" by Bob Ewing.