MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Upper House of Parliament has unanimously approved the Anti-Piracy and Anti-Kidnapping Bill, with 29 senators voting in favor and none against, excluding the chairperson who presided over the session.
The bill, which was previously passed by the House of the People, now awaits presidential assent from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Once signed into law, it will strengthen Somalia’s legal framework to combat piracy and kidnapping amid a renewed wave of attacks off the country’s coast.
The approval comes as Somali piracy has seen a dramatic resurgence in 2026, with at least eight hijackings since April, including two within a fortnight in August. The attacks have been driven by a convergence of factors, including the diversion of international naval resources to counter Houthi threats in the Red Sea and the war on Iran, which has created a security vacuum that pirates are exploiting.
Strengthening the Legal Framework
The revised Anti-Piracy and Anti-Kidnapping Law updates legislation first enacted in 1975, modernizing legal tools to address contemporary maritime threats. The updated law includes clearer definitions of piracy and kidnapping, expanded jurisdiction over maritime crimes, stronger penalties ranging from 5 to 20 years in prison, and improved legal procedures to ensure fair investigations and trials.
The legislation also aligns Somalia’s legal framework with international standards, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Djibouti Code of Conduct, strengthening Somalia’s ability to cooperate with international partners in prosecuting maritime crimes.
According to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, which submitted the bill, the legislation represents a “pivotal step” in strengthening maritime security, protecting vital trade routes, and ensuring the safety of Somali citizens. The law also aims to protect Somali fishermen and enable them to operate in a more secure environment.
The Piracy Resurgence
The Senate’s approval comes as Somali pirates have attacked at least 15 vessels in 2026, a sharp increase from five attacks in 2025. Pirates are now holding six merchant vessels and more than 90 seafarers hostage.
The attacks are being carried out with increased technological sophistication, including the use of Starlink satellite internet to track targets and communicate at high speeds. Pirates are also using hijacked vessels as “motherships” to launch further attacks, including the MV Sward, a cement carrier seized in April that has been repurposed for new hijackings.
Analysts have warned that the piracy resurgence may be entering an “early phase of a sustained operational cycle.” The Center for Maritime Security noted that the diversion of global navies to counter Houthi threats in the Red Sea has allowed Somali piracy “to once again thrive.” About 70% of maritime traffic that previously passed through the Red Sea is now being rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, closer to Somalia’s coast.
Somali pirates have demanded a $10 million ransom for eight Egyptian sailors held hostage since May, severely restricting their food and water and issuing direct death threats to the crew.
Critical Note
The unanimous passage of the Anti-Piracy and Anti-Kidnapping Bill reflects the growing urgency among Somali lawmakers to address the resurgence of piracy. The legislation provides a stronger legal foundation for prosecuting maritime crimes and cooperating with international partners.
Yet, the effectiveness of the law will depend on implementation. As analysts have noted, Somalia faces significant institutional and resource constraints in enforcing maritime law. The country lacks sufficient patrol vessels, trained personnel, and coordination between institutions to effectively police its waters. Without sustained investment in maritime security capacity, the law risks remaining strong on paper but weak in practice.
The Somali government must also address the root causes of piracy, including illegal fishing, poverty in coastal communities, and the absence of economic opportunities for young men who are easily recruited into pirate networks. The international community, which has largely diverted naval resources away from the Horn of Africa, must also renew its commitment to maritime security in the region.
