Somali navy chief: World’s worst job?
The Somali Navy is a complete failure. Because of the ousting of Siad Barre, the navy has not had funding for equipments, much less boats. Farah Ahmed Omar, the Somali navy chief, even admitted that he had not been out to sea in twenty-three years. However, he did admit that he was ashamed at the huge piracy problem facing Somalia as of current. He believes that the pirates would be easy to take care of, though, saying they do not have sophisticated equipment “as they just have fishing boats and small arms which are easy to get in Somalia.” The 500 new recruits, lured by the pay of $60 per month, will be training in the classroom. The government thinks they could be doing a better job if they had a helping hand. The prime minister said that if five percent of what was being spent on the warships guarding the coast was put towards the navy, Somalia would have a better chance of fighting off the pirates on their own.
He’s so fugly. This is totally awesome, because every country needs a Navy controlled by a guy who has no idea what he’s doing.
By: Moon Wolfsong on October 13, 2009
at 12:32 am
I do not think giving aid to the Somali navy would be a good idea. Somalia does not really have a functioning central government, much less a navy. The navy chief has not even been to sea in 23 years. There is no evidence that the funds would actually get to the navy or that a navy could be organized or effective, especially if members have to train in a classroom rather than on the sea. Furthermore, the Somali navy does not have much incentive to protect ships from pirates since those that are being attacked by pirates are mostly foreign ships.
By: ellberry on October 27, 2009
at 12:00 am
[...] 27, 2009 in Uncategorized http://gcotton.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/breaking-news-volume-3/ [...]
By: Third Blog Comment Link « Ellie's Blog on October 27, 2009
at 12:02 am