This petition concerns the poor in Somalia who need international assistance to restore fish stocks and stop poaching of Somali fish and to reestablish a sound government and economy that serves the Somali people.
Somalia also needs assistance in preventing other nations/ships passing through Somali waters from dumping garbage and waste, some possibly toxic into Somali waters.
Somali is a poor and arid country that has depended heavily on fishing and now because of lack of government policing abilities has lost control of it's waters and fishing grounds and is likely being looted by other nations/individuals who may be taking advantage of Somalia's poorly funded/weak government.
Shooting pirates will most likely not be a solution to this problem.....Somalia needs long term development aid, counsel from Arab and Western nations on how to establish and maintain just and fair government that serves the Somali people and establishes the basis for a sound economy in Somalia based on the resources they have.
Western and Arab nations can also lend their counsel concerning environmental issues pertaining to declines in Somali fish stocks/agricultural production etc.
The nation of Somalia and it's problems have been ignored by the world for too long and now their is a price to pay with the problem of piracy, we in the west need to offer our assistance wherever needed not because Somali pirates are a security threat but because it's the right thing to do.....the Somali government.....as far as one is known to exist must trust and accept the good will of the west and other nations who wish to aid in building a better government and economy in Somalia.
We the undersigned agree with the sentiments of this author.
