AU Warns Red Sea Escalation Could Threaten Africa’s Security and Trade

GOOBJOOG NEWS | ADDIS ABABA: The African Union has warned that escalating military tensions around the Red Sea could spill over into Africa, threatening maritime security, trade and economies already exposed to disruptions along the strategic waterway.

In a statement, the AU Commission condemned what it described as Houthi attacks targeting civilian and economic infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, as well as attacks and threats against commercial vessels using the Red Sea.

The commission also expressed concern over reports of attempted attacks targeting Makkah and other holy cities in Saudi Arabia.

It said holy sites, civilians and people visiting the sites for religious purposes must be fully protected and should never be treated as military targets.

The AU also stressed the importance of freedom of navigation through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital maritime passage linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

Any disruption or threat to commercial shipping through the waterway could have consequences well beyond the immediate conflict, affecting international trade, supply chains and energy security, the commission warned.

The concerns are particularly significant for the Horn of Africa and countries along the Red Sea coast, where instability around Bab al-Mandab can have direct implications for maritime traffic, ports and regional economies.

The waterway is one of the world’s important shipping routes, connecting the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

The AU warned that continued fighting in the Middle East could develop into a wider regional conflict, with consequences for Africa extending beyond security to humanitarian and economic pressures.

The commission called for an end to attacks against civilians, civilian infrastructure, economic facilities and commercial shipping.

It also urged all sides to respect freedom of navigation and called for urgent efforts to reduce tensions, with dialogue and political solutions prioritised to prevent further escalation.

Developments around Bab al-Mandab carry particular significance for countries in the Horn of Africa, because of the region’s proximity to one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors.