By Asha Elmi - Reporter
DJIBOUTI, September 16, 2026 East African regional bloc IGAD has warned of resurgent piracy off Somalia’s coast and in the Gulf of Aden after a series of vessel hijackings threatened shipping along one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
The warning was included in a communiqué issued after the 74th Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers in Djibouti on Tuesday.
The ministers said strategic competition, conflicts along the coastline, increased foreign military involvement and threats to commercial shipping were affecting the security and economic interests of countries in the region.
IGAD said safe and unrestricted navigation through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden was a central priority for regional peace, security and development.
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The council directed the IGAD secretariat to work with member states and international partners to strengthen maritime governance, cooperation and coordination.
The warning follows a series of hijackings since April involving the vessels Honour 25, Sward, Eureka, Asana, Lutuf and Sibu 1.
At least 15 attacks have been reported in the region in 2026, the highest annual number since 2013, according to an AFP analysis of International Maritime Organization data.