ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses piracy in Somalia to include the historical legacy of interventionist policies that have eradicated tribal traditions of nomadic pastoralism and agriculture and all but destroyed the country's fishing industry. The kidnappers in the case were described as 'organized criminals' associated with pirates operating on the east coast of Africa in waters that have been described as 'the most dangerous in the world'. The impacts of colonialism as it related to space and the acquisition of land becomes more evident after independence, where efforts to unite the region beyond the symbolism of geography were unsuccessful. This history shows the extent to which the traditional relationship between pastoralism and the climate was interrupted, as well as the clan-based networks between the hinterlands and the coast that were essential for trade. The clans of Somalia have different cultures, social structures, languages and foci of industry that are tied to the varying cultural and material landscapes within Somalia.
