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'Sea dumping' worries Somalis
08/04/2004 20:07 - (SA)
Mogadishu - A number of mysterious containers seen in the waves off the coast of Somalia raised concerns on Thursday that foreign vessels were illegally dumping hazardous waste in the unpatrolled waters off Africa's longest coastline.
Fishermen saw at least two large containers off the northeastern coast of Somalia, near the towns of Ige and Bosaso.
"These containers may contain nuclear and other dangerous wastes, which may have a tremendous health impact on fishermen and fish eaters," said Ismail Jumaale, head of the Somali Human Rights Centre in the capital, Mogadishu.
The group has been monitoring illegal and suspicious dumping along Somalia's coast.
"Because of a lack of central administration and coast guards, Somalia has been susceptible to foreign intruders to dump their waste," said Mohammed Ali Aweys, the manager of the Banadir Fishing Company.
No testing facilities
He said his fishermen had seen foreign vessels fishing illegally in Somalia's waters and dumping waste.
There are no health officials nor testing facilities in Somalia to determine if the containers are harmful.
Somali fishermen just try to avoid the material.
The Horn of Africa nation descended into chaos after the 1991 ousting of dictator Mohammed Siad Barre and has not had an effective national government since.
The country is now ruled by armed, clan-based factions.
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