The Forgotten Somali Pirate Hostages

The long ordeal for Abedo hostages took a turn for the worse nine days ago when the ship sank in shallow waters of the notorious pirate town of Haradheere

The plight of forgotten Somali pirate hostages

Picture the scene. You are being held hostage by pirates on a ship just off the coast of one of the most lawless corners of Somalia. You have been there for more than two years in the grimmest conditions.

Now your ship has sunk in stormy seas, and some of your colleagues are missing.

You have been transferred to a smaller fishing boat tethered, precariously, to the wreckage.

The owner of your ship has shown no interest in paying a ransom or negotiating your release. You and your crewmates come from impoverished families with no hope of raising any cash to buy your freedom.

Welcome to the impossibly bleak situation in which 11 members of the Abedo container ship now find themselves.

“Enough is enough. These guys have suffered terribly. It’s time to……[access full article]