Monday January 13, 2025
Ali Ahmed Ali Shirwa, the accountant linked to the hijacking of the MV Abdullah, following his arrest in Gaalkacyo, Puntland. (Photo courtesy of Puntland Police Command)
Galkayo (HOL) — Authorities in Puntland have arrested Ali Ahmed Ali Shirwa, the accountant believed to have managed finances for the group that hijacked the MV Abdullah, a Bangladeshi cargo ship seized in March 2024. The vessel and its 23 crew members were held hostage for over a month in one of the most high-profile piracy cases in recent years.
Shirwa, 39, was captured during an operation in Gaalkacyo, the regional capital of Mudug. According to Puntland authorities, he managed the finances of the hijackers, a critical role in the group's operation. The arrest comes months after the ship was released following a $5 million ransom payment.
"This is a big win in our fight against piracy," said Mudug Police Commander Mahamoud Abdihakim Yusuf. "We're determined to break these networks and keep our waters safe."
The MV Abdullah, a Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier transporting 55,000 tonnes of coal from Mozambique to the UAE, was hijacked 600 nautical miles from Mogadishu. Pirates armed with heavy weapons seized the vessel, demanding millions in ransom and threatening the lives of the crew. Negotiations, mediated by SR Shipping, the ship's owner, and international partners, eventually led to the crew's safe release.
The hijacking marked a resurgence of piracy in Somali waters, once considered a diminished threat after international naval patrols had curbed attacks. The hijacking of the MV Abdullah and other recent incidents highlight the fragility of maritime security in the region. Experts point to persistent issues such as poverty, lawlessness, and limited economic opportunities as driving forces behind piracy.
Puntland, a region in northern Somalia, has been at the forefront of efforts to combat piracy. Earlier this year, authorities also arrested Mohamed Sufi Rasas, another pirate linked to the MV Abdullah hijacking. Despite these successes, Puntland officials acknowledge the challenges of securing the vast Somali coastline.
The release of the MV Abdullah's crew after 33 days in captivity was a relief for their families and a testament to the painstaking efforts of negotiators. Chief Engineer A.S.M. Saifuzzaman described their ordeal as a "living nightmare," emphasizing the constant fear of violence from their captors.
The ship's hijacking and eventual release have reignited discussions about the safety of shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean, a vital route for global trade. While piracy levels remain far below their peak in the early 2010s, the MV Abdullah case reignited the ongoing concerns for vessels transiting the region.