Monday November 10, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) – Somalia’s Parliament has unanimously approved a revised anti-piracy and anti-kidnapping law, marking a major step toward strengthening the country’s maritime security and modernizing legislation first enacted on April 30, 1975.
All 140 members present voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition or abstentions, reflecting a unified stance by lawmakers on the critical importance of addressing piracy, which has seen a resurgence along Somalia’s coastline.
The approval comes in the wake of several recent pirate attacks, including a case involving a Malta-flagged vessel en route to South Africa, which was later rescued by an EU Naval Forces ship.
The revised law is expected to strengthen Somalia’s ability to combat maritime crimes and enhance cooperation with international partners and organizations working to ensure security and safety in global waterways.
Officials say the new framework will help safeguard Somalia’s coastal communities and protect one of the world’s most strategic maritime corridors a vital route for global trade connecting the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.