Somaliland enforced new airspace authorization rules, requiring all aircraft to seek clearance before entering or crossing its skies. Officials in Hargeisa said upgraded radar systems allowed controllers to communicate directly with pilots and divert non-compliant flights. The development came as Somalia dealt with a major E-Visa data breach that exposed sensitive documents belonging to foreign nationals. The incident raised cybersecurity concerns and led analysts to call for stronger digital-governance safeguards in the region.

Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency has confirmed that hackers breached its electronic visa system, exposing sensitive data of travelers, as the United States and the United Kingdom issue security warnings. At least 35,000 people may be affected, according to the US Embassy. Authorities said they are investigating the breach’s scale and origin after the government quietly shifted the portal to a new domain. The incident has intensified tensions amid ongoing disputes over sovereignty and airspace.

Somalia’s Parliament has begun formal deliberations on the proposed 2026 national budget, valued at $1.37 billion, after completing its first reading. Deputy Finance Minister Abdiqafaar Elmi Hange said the plan introduces an Activity-Based Budgeting system linking expenditures to specific programs and results. The proposal relies heavily on external grants totaling $828 million. Some MPs criticized the limited consultation, but committees will now review the draft before a second reading and expect approval.

Somalia’s Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals has warned against growing illegal mineral exploration involving local and foreign actors operating without government permits. The ministry said unauthorized prospecting threatens national resources, security and the environment, and vowed strict legal action against offenders. Authorities have intensified monitoring across mining zones with security agencies and federal member states. The government urged the public to report suspicious activity and emphasized its commitment to transparent, regulated resource management.

EU and Indian naval forces have intercepted an Iranian fishing vessel used by Somali pirates to seize the Malta-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite off Somalia’s coast. A Spanish frigate boarded the abandoned dhow on November 7 and found its 24 crew members safe. Operation Atalanta said the pirate group has been disrupted, and evidence will support future prosecutions. Somali piracy has resurged over the past year amid Red Sea instability linked to Houthi attacks.

Somalia’s Finance Minister Biixi Imaan Cige attended the Arab Countries’ Meeting on Public Finance and Budgets at the United Nations headquarters in Beirut. The forum focused on financing education, healthcare and support for vulnerable groups. During a ministerial panel, Cige outlined Somalia’s progress in digital revenue systems, transparency and post-conflict fiscal reforms. He highlighted the country’s completion of the HIPC debt relief process and reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable fiscal management and social-sector investment.