By Zakaria Hassan - Reporter
Mogadishu, 9 September 2026 Somalia's Upper House of Parliament has approved a bill aimed at combating piracy and preventing abductions, legislation submitted by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
Twenty-nine senators voted in favour of the bill, with no votes against it, according to First Deputy Speaker of the Upper House Ali Shacbaan Ibrahim.
The approval comes amid renewed concerns over reported piracy incidents off Somalia's coast, reviving questions over maritime security and the safety of vessels operating in Somali waters.
Related articles
The legislation is intended to strengthen Somalia's legal framework for combating piracy and preventing abductions, while reinforcing the role of relevant state institutions in responding to such crimes.
Somalia's coastline has long been associated with piracy attacks targeting commercial and fishing vessels, although such incidents declined sharply in recent years following sustained national and international efforts to improve maritime security.
The Upper House vote comes as Somalia seeks to strengthen its capacity to protect its territorial waters and assume greater responsibility for maritime security, particularly as concerns over renewed piracy activity emerge along parts of the country's coastline.