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Mohamed Abdi Afweyne, a Somali businessman, returned to Mogadishu on Thursday after completing a more than decade-long prison sentence in Belgium. His release comes after serving time related to piracy charges brought against him by Belgian authorities.
Afweyne was arrested in 2013 during an international operation led by Belgian prosecutors. Authorities alleged he had been involved in piracy-related activities, including the hijacking of the Belgian vessel Pompei in 2009. His arrest occurred after he was invited to Belgium under the pretense of participating in a documentary about his life and the history of Somali piracy. Upon arrival, both Afweyne and his associate, Mohamed Aden Tiiceey, were detained and later convicted on charges connected to piracy and kidnapping.
During his incarceration, Afweyne faced challenging conditions, describing his cell as small and poorly ventilated. His return to Somalia has stirred mixed reactions within the community. Some have welcomed his homecoming, recognizing that he has completed his sentence, while others continue to voice concerns about the impact of his past activities on Somalia’s global reputation.
Afweyne was once labeled as a prominent figure in Somali piracy during the late 2000s, a time when piracy had a significant economic and humanitarian impact on global shipping. His network was linked to high-profile incidents such as the 2008 hijacking of the Saudi oil supertanker Sirius Star and the Ukrainian cargo vessel MV Faina, which was carrying battle tanks and other military equipment.
Initially, many Somali pirates, including Afweyne, justified their actions as efforts to protect Somali waters from illegal foreign fishing. However, the piracy industry quickly expanded into a large-scale criminal enterprise driven by ransom demands. At the height of piracy off the Somali coast in 2011, global economic losses were estimated at $7 billion, with ransom payments totaling around $160 million.
Afweyne was known not only for his involvement in piracy but also for his ability to organize and recruit across clan lines, making his network one of the most influential during the peak of Somali piracy. However, in 2012, he publicly declared his retirement from piracy, claiming he had convinced over 100 others to abandon the trade. This announcement was met with skepticism by some international observers, who questioned whether it was a genuine transformation or a strategic move as piracy activity declined due to enhanced global maritime security efforts.
His arrest in Belgium marked a turning point in the international fight against piracy. Prosecuting key figures like Afweyne had been challenging due to jurisdictional issues and the difficulty of apprehending those operating beyond the reach of international law. Belgian authorities took an unconventional approach, using a sting operation disguised as a documentary production to lure him into their jurisdiction. This method was seen as a significant step in holding piracy financiers and organizers accountable rather than focusing solely on low-level perpetrators.
Following his conviction, Afweyne was sentenced to 20 years in prison. However, after serving over a decade, he has now returned to Mogadishu, where his presence has sparked debate. Some community leaders and elders have publicly welcomed his return, viewing his completed sentence as a sign that he has paid his dues. Others, however, continue to highlight the devastating impact piracy had on both Somali society and the global maritime industry.
Afweyne’s case underscores the ongoing challenges in addressing piracy and maritime crime. While naval patrols, improved vessel security, and coordinated international efforts significantly reduced piracy incidents in Somali waters, concerns remain over how former piracy figures reintegrate into society after serving their sentences.
As Afweyne settles back into life in Mogadishu, questions linger about his next steps and the broader implications for justice and rehabilitation. His return highlights the complexity of balancing accountability with reintegration, especially in regions still working to rebuild from past conflicts and instability.