The Alakrana being escorted out by Spanish frigates. (Photo: Spain Ministry of Defence)

Euphoria greets Alakrana pirates in hometown

SOMALIA
Thursday, November 19, 2009, 15:30 (GMT + 9)

A celebratory atmosphere arose this Wednesday in the Somali coastal town of Harardherede, where the Spanish tuna vessel Alakrana had been held by the pirates, after learning of the USD 4 million ransom payment for the ship.

According to several residents of this pirate stomping ground, located 300 kilometers north of Mogadishu, the announcement of the ransom payment provoked the enthusiasm of retailers, pirate suppliers, and young people, who have one more incentive to dedicate themselves to piracy.

“If the inhabitants had had fireworks at their disposal they would have launched them all night long,” summarised Hisri Amhed, a pirate interviewed by AFP.

Tuesday, the president of the Spanish government, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, announced the liberation of the Alakrana, which set sail shortly after from Harardhere on a course to the Seychelles islands. It is expected on Thursday after dusk, according to island authorities.

Rodriguez Zapatero did not confirm nor deny the ransom payment.

“The government did what it had to do within the framework of legality and in cooperation with the shipowner of the Alakrana,” he said.

On land, the armed militiamen that had gone to Harardhere to control the area and possibly prevent attacks on foreign navalmen, fired shots into the air during a good portion of the night to celebrate.

A retailer who asked to remain anonymous praised the local pirates’ success.

“Two of the pirates spent USD 1,700 in merchandise in my store and they said to me, that Friday, they would give me USD 4,000 to develop my activities. They are generous and they deserve my admiration," he affirmed.

According to several residents, the price of jat, an intoxicating plant highly prized by the Somalis, shot up immediately, whereas numerous businessmen tried to contact the newly weathly to sell them all-terrain vehicles.

“The boys did a great job pocketing four million dollars for the Spanish ship. Spain is one of the nations that has robbed marine resources the most from the Somalis," claimed Amhed Cheij Mohamud, 65, invoking common accusations of illegal fishing in Somali territorial waters.

“I feel proud of them, for if they had worked for centuries, they would not have been able to make that money,” he added.

A 22-year-old man, Mohamed Dahir Abdullahi, explained as well that he also wanted to join the pirates.

“I learned to swim and to shoot with firearms. I am a candidate for that work," he claimed.

According to another resident of Harardhere, the traditional chiefs and religious authorities tried to convince the pirates to release the hostages unconditionally, without success.

“Who was going to pay them millions if they did not keep the hostages and the ship? The traditional chiefs are out of their minds. The defenders of Somali waters [the pirates] are right," he contended.

AFP

Related articles:

- Alakrana released
- Somali pirate will be tried as an adult
- Spanish tuna vessel still held by Somali pirates

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