Somali Parliament Unanimously Approves Revised Anti-Piracy Law in Historic Step to Strengthen Maritime Security.

Mogadishu, Somalia.

In a landmark unanimous vote, Somalia’s federal parliament has passed a revised anti-piracy and anti-kidnapping law, marking a major step toward strengthening the country’s legal framework against maritime crime and bolstering security along its strategic Indian Ocean coastline.

The House of the People voted 140–0 in favor of the bill amending Law No. 36, first enacted in 1975, with no abstentions or dissenting voices. The legislation, which now awaits President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s signature, strengthens provisions for prosecuting piracy, hostage-taking, and related offenses both on land and at sea.

Second Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Omar Abshirow welcomed the unanimous approval as “a historic day for Somalia,” saying it demonstrated lawmakers’ shared resolve to “end piracy and ensure our waters remain safe for all.”

The revised law introduces modern mechanisms for international cooperation, enhanced protections for coastal communities, and stronger enforcement tools to safeguard civilian and commercial vessels. Lawmakers say the update is vital amid a recent uptick in attempted hijackings and attacks along Somalia’s 3,300-kilometer coastline—a critical artery for global trade linking the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean.

The move follows a thwarted hijacking attempt on a Malta-flagged cargo ship bound for South Africa, intercepted last month by an EU Naval Forces vessel. Such incidents have reignited concerns about a possible resurgence of Somali piracy, which once cost the global economy billions of dollars annually before declining in the mid-2010s.

Officials framed the bill’s passage as part of broader national security reforms, coinciding with offensives against al-Shabaab militants and renewed efforts to stabilize the Horn of Africa. It also aligns with regional maritime initiatives such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct, which promotes information-sharing and joint patrols among coastal states.

Analysts say the law could play a pivotal role in attracting foreign investment to Somalia’s emerging blue economy, including fisheries and shipping sectors valued in the billions. If effectively enforced, it may also help the country shed the lingering stigma of its pirate past and restore confidence in sea lanes that handle nearly 10% of the world’s seaborne oil trade.