Ghanaian hostage in Somalia faces execution in hours
One of the four Ghanaian hostages, Francis Koomson Snr, being held captive by Somalia pirates is to be executed in the next few hours.
59-year-old Koomson, is being held on the MV Iceberg 1 off the Somali coast. The four were captured by Somalia pirates in March 2010.Their captors are demanding one million dollars from the shipping line that owns the ship.
The pirates have already executed two people and in the next few hours the fate of the Ghana national hangs in the balance. The Ghanaians include 31-year-old Jewel Ahiable, 48-year-old Edward Kofi Asare and a fourth person whose identity is not yet known.
Francis Koomson Jnr., son of Koomson Snr. told Citi News last week that “He (Koomson Snr) called on Saturday evening and I learnt they are being taken out of the ship to the land, but the destination we cannot tell." “He said that they were being beaten but as to cutting of their fingers and ears, it is only being done to other nationals,” Koomson Jnr said.
Last month, wife of Mr Koomson, Mrs Eva Koomson appealed to government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intervene and secure the release of her husband and the other three hostages. However, the pleas have not yielded any results as it seems the four will be facing execution in the next few hours.
The activities of the pirates off the Somali coast, has been a threat to international shipping since the second phase of the 21st century. Since 2005, many international organizations including International Maritime Organization and the World Food Programme have expressed concern over the rise in piracy.
The MV Iceberg 1 is a Panama-flagged roll on/roll-off cargo ship, owned by Azal Shipping in Dubai. It remains hijacked, making about 10 nautical miles off the port of Aden Yemen, outside the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). It was carrying a mixed cargo of general mechanical equipment and was bound for Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates.
The commanders of group of pirates who were holding 24 persons captive including four Ghanaians in Somalia were aboard the MV Iceberg 1 and were agitated about the delay in meeting their demand and have threatened to harm the crew, made up of six Indians, nine Yemenis, two Sudanese, Filipino and four Ghanaians.
Koomson and Ahiable said in an earlier telephone interview that their condition worsens by the day, with little to eat or drink. As well, the mental trauma of being held captive was telling on some of the crew members.
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