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During the Somali civil war, hazardous wastes were dumped into Somali costal by industrialized countries. In the fall of 1992 reports began to appear in the international media concerning unnamed European firms that were illegally dumping hazardous waste in Somalia.

The reason to Dumping in Somalia

1. Country's political situation: Since 1991 Somalia is lacking a central government that can safeguard its long coastlines and large territories. This seems to be the most likely reason that attracted the waste-dealers to use Somalia as a dumping site for the waste generated elsewhere.

2. The need to find dumping site: Generally, there is a big problem of finding suitable dumping sites within the countries generating these wastes, as there are few areas left there. By finding a cheap site, the high costs of recycling, incinerating and disposing in original country could be avoided.

3. Geographical Location: Located in a very geographically central location, it is easy to reach Somalia. This reduces the cost and the time of waste transport.

4. Low public awareness about the dumping: during these years local people are in civil war associated social problems, which made them, busy in their life affairs. Local media was not so effective. There were also fears of talking about the issue in the media.

5. Local self-interest individuals: It was easy to establish local contacts (politicians and businessmen) that are ready to allow the dumping of this toxic waste in their home country despite the long-term effects of the dumping on the local people, in only exchange for a relatively enormous amount of money in foreign currency, in a short period of time. This facilitates the disposal process

However, I would like to take this golden opportunity to forward you as well as the oversees community the illegal Hazardous Waste Dumping that have suffered Somali community for last couple of years due to the lack of central government that can protect its borders and territorial water . Further more this evil actions has created another evil action which is the establishment of group of pirates in the region. The pirates have been a threat to international shipping since the beginning of Somalia’s civil war in the early 1990s.  Since 2005, many international organizations, including the international marine organization and the world food programe, have expressed concern over the rise in acts of piracy. Piracy has contributed to an increase in shipping costs and impeded the delivery of food aid shipments. According to the Kenyan foreign minister, Somali pirates have received over US$150 million during the 12 months prior to November 2008. Therefore, the pirates are claiming that they are defending the Somali coastal areas by the international ships that are dumping wastes to the Somali costs. Finally I do hope you will share with me this big problem and you’re recommendations will be useful for the Somali people