Somalia is rapidly becoming an economy without a state. After almost two decades of warlord-driven anarchy, a weak interim government cannot police its capital, much less the waters that fringe the Horn of Africa.

Pirates armed with AK47s and rocket-propelled grenades now rule the seas. Their trade is masterminded from the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, which is sometimes offered as an example of stability in a lawless land.

As many as nine hijacked vessels are thought to be lying at anchor just off one of its tiny fishing villages. About 130 crewmen are being held.

The Puntland authorities seem unable to intervene, or have been bought off by the pirate gangs. The brigands can afford flashy 4x4s and the latest electronics from Dubai in a country where almost half the population is at risk of hunger this year, according to the United Nations.

The only respite came two years ago when Islamists took control of the country and managed to stamp out the trade altogether.

But when the Islamists were defeated the armed businessmen went back to their speedboats. Analysts believe their numbers have leapt from 100 three years ago to about 1,000 today.

This year they have turned the Gulf of Aden into the world's most dangerous waters. Their favourite tactic is to use a hijacked boat as a mother ship, allowing them to extend their range far out to sea. Commercial shipping is now warned to stay more than 200 nautical miles from Somalia's coastline.

And a coalition of navies is patrolling the waters to keep the shipping lanes open. With Somalia seemingly intent on sliding further into anarchy, that seems a bit like swatting mosquitoes without draining the swamp.

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