Somali piracy is resurging as security gaps and political divisions create new opportunities for pirate networks, the International Crisis Group has warned, with six commercial vessels reportedly hijacked since April.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — The resurgence of piracy off Somalia is being driven by security gaps and political divisions inside the country, giving former piracy networks opportunities to resume attacks on commercial vessels, the International Crisis Group said.
The Brussels-based conflict prevention organisation called for stronger maritime security, increased naval patrols and measures to raise the cost and risks faced by pirates seeking to hijack ships.
Omar Mahmood, Crisis Group's senior analyst for Somalia and the Horn of Africa, said piracy was largely an opportunistic activity, with former pirate networks waiting for favourable conditions to return.
"Piracy is often about exploiting opportunities," Mahmood said, pointing to changes in the security environment in northern Somalia that have led some maritime patrols to be redirected to other areas.
The shift has coincided with changes in commercial shipping routes, with some vessels moving further south. Mahmood said such changes could create security gaps that pirate groups could exploit.
The renewed attacks have raised concerns over the safety of ships operating through the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean, two strategically important waterways connecting Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
According to the Crisis Group, pirates have hijacked six commercial vessels since April, marking the strongest resurgence in Somali piracy in years.
The organisation warned that the renewed activity could pose a threat to international shipping, particularly as the Gulf of Aden and waters around the Horn of Africa are already under pressure from multiple security threats.
But Mahmood cautioned against comparing the current resurgence directly with the height of Somali piracy around 15 years ago, when pirate groups carried out hundreds of attacks and generated millions of dollars in ransom payments.
The emergence of new attacks, he said, did not necessarily mean that Somali piracy had returned to its previous peak.
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Mahmood also stressed the need for greater cooperation between Somalia's federal government and its federal member states to tackle piracy.
Political disputes over the division of powers and control of resources have complicated coordination between the authorities, he said, weakening efforts to address maritime insecurity.
Closer cooperation between Mogadishu and the federal states could help disrupt piracy networks and strengthen the capacity of local institutions to respond to the threat, Mahmood said.
The Crisis Group also called for longer-term efforts to address the economic and social conditions that can contribute to piracy.
Mahmood said grievances over illegal or excessive fishing by foreign vessels had historically been used by pirate groups to justify their activities and build support among coastal communities.
If such grievances persist while coastal populations believe the government is failing to protect their livelihoods, pirate groups could find opportunities to gain greater acceptance or local support, he warned.
The renewed piracy threat comes as international naval forces and commercial shipping operators continue to monitor security conditions across the Gulf of Aden and the wider western Indian Ocean.
For Somalia, the challenge extends beyond protecting vessels at sea. The Crisis Group's assessment highlights the importance of closing security gaps, improving cooperation between federal and regional authorities and addressing longstanding grievances in coastal communities.
While the current wave remains far below the scale of Somalia's piracy crisis at its peak, the group warned that failure to respond quickly could allow criminal networks to rebuild their capabilities and exploit further weaknesses in maritime security.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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