U.S. Naval Institute CEO: Hit the Pirates at Their Bases in Somalia

U. S. Naval Institute
April 10, 2009

Enough is enough.

With pirate activity off the coast of Africa increasing despite the efforts of a multinational coalition naval task force, the United States and other countries victimized by maritime crimes need to consider hitting the pirates at their land bases, according to Ret. Marine Major General Tom Wilkerson, CEO of the United States Naval Institute (USNI)

"The seizure of the U.S.-flagged ship Maersk Alabama and its American crew by Somali pirates is proof that the Combined Task Force simply can’t fulfill its mission to deter piracy," Wilkerson explained. "The vastness of the sea makes it too difficult to track pirates. We can’t stop them on water, so we need to take action to eliminate the pirates land-based sanctuary."

With a U.S. flag and a crew of 23 Americans, the Danish-owned Maersk Alabama was briefly captured by Somali pirates on April 8. The crew, which included former U.S. Marines according to reports, was able to regain control of the ship. However, the captain is still being held for ransom by the pirates.

"It’s a real smack in the face that an American-led international task force couldn’t prevent the first seizure of an American vessel in over 200 years. The last time it happened, the U.S. took the fight to the pirates home bases, which we should again consider," Wilkerson said, referring to the Barbary Wars.

In the early 1800s, pirates along the coast of North Africa demanded tribute in order to spare U.S. ships from harassment. President Thomas Jefferson instead elected to combat the pirates, eventually sending Marines to the shores of Tripoli where they destroyed vessels and assaulted pirate bases.

"As long as we allow the pirates a sanctuary, a place where they know we won’t go - they will be encouraged to continue attacking vessels and holding them for ransom. The lawlessness of Somalia has turned the entire county into a safe haven. Pirates don’t live on the water, they live in Somalia. That’s where we need to get them," Wilkerson said.

Pirates operate out of Somalia primarily because it is a country without a functioning government, which means there is no police or military to enforce law and social order.

During an April 8 "CNN Newsroom" segment with anchor Kyra Phillips, Wilkerson expressed his belief that the United States needs a new policy that focuses on confronting pirates at their bases of operation.

"You have to take out the pirates where they live and give them no incentive to continue doing piracy … We have got to step up to the plate and recognize piracy will continue unless we take the initiative and stop it," Wilkerson said.

"Sure we need to take a close look at international laws of war and the rules of engagement, but there’s already a mechanism in place that gives us the ability to strike the pirates in their homes where they have been divvying up their loot," he said. "We need to examine it."

In December 2008, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved resolution 1851 granting countries the authority to pursue Somalia pirates on land. To date, no concerted effort has been given to chasing and engaging pirates on land.

"There are undoubtedly lots of reasons and excuses not to attack the bases in Somalia, but how many more years and how many resources will be wasted while we watch pirates take our ships? One thing is for certain, the current mission needs to be changed because it’s failing," Wilkerson said.

For opposing views and more information about the issue of piracy, please read

Piracy: The Over Stated Threat by Commander John Patch, U.S. Navy (Retired)

What Makes Piracy Work? by Virginia Lunsford

Classic Pirate Movies by Eric Mills

On the Naval Institute Blog:

How to Beat the Somali Pirates

The Other Surge

To Define and Punish Piracies and Felonies Committed on the High Seas