Monday April 13, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — U.S. President Donald Trump has extended for one year the national emergency concerning Somalia, a measure first declared in 2010 to address ongoing security threats linked to terrorism, piracy and instability in the Horn of Africa nation.
In a notice dated April 8, 2026, the White House confirmed that the national emergency, set to expire on April 12 will remain in effect until April 12, 2027. The extension maintains U.S. sanctions and legal authorities aimed at countering threats posed by armed groups, illicit financial activities and violations of international embargoes related to Somalia.
Additional measures were introduced in 2012 through Executive Order 13620. These targeted revenue streams for the al-Qaida-linked militant group al-Shabab, particularly the illicit charcoal trade, as well as the misappropriation of Somali public assets and acts of violence against civilians.
The ongoing emergency framework underpins U.S. sanctions administered by the Treasury Department, including asset freezes and travel restrictions on individuals and entities linked to terrorism, arms trafficking, piracy and actions that undermine Somalia’s peace, security and stability.
While Somalia has made progress in rebuilding state institutions and strengthening security forces with international support, the United States continues to view al-Shabab, regional instability and illicit financial networks as persistent threats requiring sustained legal and financial countermeasures.
