Somali Quotations

I used to own an island in the Seychelles and had a big boat there and one day I came across some Somali pirates who were passing by on their way to re-provision their boat. They didn't even acknowledge me - which is unheard of among sailors - and it was like looking into the eyes of a black mamba.

The risks of piracy spreading beyond the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, off the Somali coast, and in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore and beyond are substantial.

Over the course of my life, I have made many transitions - most of them taking me further away from my Somali roots and steadily toward the enlightened mentality of Western democracy.

Hamdi Ulukaya and Chobani have made the decision to feed 250,000 victims of the Somali famine. Their compassion speaks for itself, and is a shining example of how the business community can have an enormous positive impact on the world.

I think the guys who are sort of infantry in Somali piracy are not unlike low-level drug dealers in urban areas in America, who see it as, you know, not having many other options. I think it comes down to money and needing to survive.

We are tremendously grateful to the Somali Transitional Federal Government and the Kenyan ambassador for their combined efforts to ensure that the vessel, the food, and most importantly the 10-member crew who have suffered greatly during this ordeal will be released unconditionally.

The women's centers, in particular, should help improve the well-being of Somali women along the coast, and should serve as a catalyst for women to assume greater responsibility in their social, political and economic lives.

The Somali government did not talk to the U.S. Navy. The U.S. Navy has no agreement with the Somali government.

It must be a terrible, and a very worrying ordeal for all 10 of them stuck on that ship still anchored 45 km from the Somali coast. The poor families of the crew have waited too long to see their loved ones safe,

Then, we also need to have credible Somali institutions being established inside Somalia and local and regional peace agreements to be brokered.

Immediately after 11 September, the U.S. closed down the Somali charitable network Al-Barakaat on grounds that it was financing terror. This achievement was hailed one of the great successes of the 'war on terror.' In contrast, Washington's withdrawal of its charges as without merit a year later aroused little notice.

Insecurity off the Somali coast has escalated sharply. It is very worrying.

He's a popular figure in the Somali community and it's clear based on the initial community support that people are concerned.