The previous capture of a Saudi tanker carrying $100 million of crude raised awareness of the pirates operating off Somalia’s coast. The tanker was only released after a ransom in the tens of millions was paid. The United States, the European Union, Russia, China and India then established patrols intended to protect ships passing through Somalia and onto the Suez Canal.

The pirate attacks stopped for about two months, and everyone naturally attributed this to the vassals sailing around. But, alas, that was not the case. The pirates were not deterred and their temporary cessation was due simply to poor weather.

This demonstrated their new found audacity last night. Accustomed to commandeering ships closer to the coast, the pirates, perhaps due to nearby patrols, ventured out some 300 miles east of Somalia in an attempt to hijack an Danish company manned by 20 American sailors.

The ship in question is the Maersk Alabama and was in convey to deliver food aid to Africans. In the dead of night, the pirates closed in and were able to capture the captain. The remaining Americans were able to fend off the pirates and actually capture one of the pirates.

The Americans agreed to trade their captive for the captain, but after keeping their end of the bargain the pirates reneged. The sailors have sought to cajole them with food, but the pirates remained unswayed. An American navy vassal is on its way as the situation remains unresolved.

This simply was to stop. The way leading to the Suez Canal is one of the most important waterways in the world. But ending pirate attacks cannot not just involve monitoring of the high seas. These are desperate pirates, which the sails 300 miles out can only be a demonstration of, and they cannot be entirely deterred through show of sea power.

Somalia was been resigned to a failed state. A few African Union troops patrol Mogadishu, but the rest of the country is made up of rival and armed tribes. This vacuum of power has not only bequeathed piracy, but provided a haven for Islamic terrorists.

It is time the international community, led by Africa, established a program to put Somalia back on track and give people the chance to earn an honest living.