The leader of Somalia’s opposition group is asking the international community to address the issue of piracy off the coast of Somalia.

From the AFP (via Google News):

Somali waters are the most dangerous in the world for pirate attacks. The International Maritime Bureau reported more than 24 known attacks in the area between April and June and more have been committed in recent days.

Maritime experts say many attacks go unreported along Somalia’s 3,700 kilometres (2,300 miles) of largely unpatrolled coast infested by pirates, who operate high-powered speedboats and carry heavy machine guns and rocket launchers.

The lack of order off the coast of Somalia has forced the World Food Program to suspend deliveries due to the high risk of pirates seizing the ships.

The sea raids have forced the World Food Programme to suspend shipments of humanitarian supplies without naval escort to Somalia where at least 2.6 million people face acute food shortages and the figure could rise to 3.5 by year-end.

“Millions of Somalis are in need of food aid, but gangs are terrorising the aid community. Somalis must not be held hostage by a few groups,” said Ahmed.

Pirates, who are currently holding more than seven ships and their crew off northern Somalia, demand millions of dollars in ransom.