Somalia’s defence minister has warned governments against paying ransoms for vessels seized off the country’s coast, saying such payments fuel piracy and give criminals an incentive to capture more ships.
Ahmed Moallim Fiqi issued the warning on Tuesday as Somalia opened its National Internal Security Conference in Mogadishu. The meeting is aimed at strengthening the country’s security institutions and preparing them to assume greater responsibility for national security.
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“Piracy is indeed one of the challenges facing Somalia, and it has increased in recent times,” Fiqi said.
“Every payment you make to pirates will continue to finance that criminal activity. It encourages them to continue such acts and to seize other vessels,” he added.
Fiqi said Somali forces, working alongside Türkiye—particularly its navy—had recently rescued a vessel held by pirates in the coastal district of Eyl.
‘Pirates defeated’
“The vessel was freed and the pirates were defeated,” he said.
Although crew members from some vessels remain captive, Fiqi said Somalia would not negotiate with their abductors.
“We know that there are crews being held on vessels and boats, but we cannot finance the pirates,” he said. “Piracy cannot be solved through policing alone.”
Fiqi said Somalia had reached a pivotal point in its effort to take greater control of its own security.
“We have come through an important period. The world has been helping us, but it can only help us for a limited period,” he said. “Today, the world is facing a number of different crises.”
Practical national plan
He said the conference should result in a workable national plan that unites the government and security institutions in confronting Somalia’s challenging security environment.
“It is essential that when this conference concludes, it produces a plan through which our country and its institutions can work together; a plan that addresses the difficult situation facing our country,” Fiqi said.
Somalia must also respond to mounting demands on the international community, he said, noting that countries that have supported Somalia for years are now being pressed to deal with crises elsewhere.
“The world that has been helping us is now raising its voice and saying: enough is enough,” he said.
Fiqi pointed to the duration of the international military presence in Somalia, saying the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the missions that came before it had operated in the country for nearly two decades.
“ATMIS and those who came before it have been in the country for nearly 20 years,” he said. “In 20 years, a child grows into an adult.”
He praised the Somali National Army for expanding its ranks and improving its capabilities.
“We should not allow short-term thinking to divide us,” he said. “We truly commend the Somali National Army for its efforts. It is preparing itself, and its numbers are increasing day by day.”
Nearly 3,000 troops had recently been recruited and started training, while several hundred others were receiving training in Mogadishu, he said.
Fiqi added that a large number of Somali troops trained by Türkiye—including members of the Gorgor special forces—had also completed their training.
“These and other forces are now being prepared,” he said. “We are preparing ourselves to become capable of providing our own security.”
Lasting security gains
Fiqi said Somalia wanted to ensure that years of international assistance and investment translated into lasting improvements in security.
“We are preparing ourselves to be self-sufficient in providing our security, and we do not want to leave the world that has supported us so well with a situation similar to what happened in Afghanistan,” he said.
“The assets and investment that have been committed to this country must not end without results. We must take responsibility for the security of our country and thank the governments that have supported us and continue to support us.”
Somali forces were moving towards assuming a larger security role, he said, while stressing the need for close coordination among the country’s security institutions.
“Our forces are moving in that direction,” he said.
Fiqi also urged the Ministry of Internal Security and other security bodies to move into areas vacated by military forces, saying this would help prevent security gaps.
