12 Apr Red Sea crises sparks calls for maritime security

In recent months, the Red Sea has become a battleground for nonstate actors, threatening African maritime security and global trade routes.

According to the Africa Center, The Houthi militia’s actions from Yemen have led to 133 reported incidents since November 2023, including missile strikes on vessels and hijackings by Somali pirates. This escalation exposed Africa’s vulnerability to disruptions by groups operating beyond international law.

The impact on global trade is significant, with 25% of shipping traffic passing through the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. Shipping companies have rerouted vessels, adding thousands of nautical miles and weeks to journeys. Consequently, consumer goods are more expensive due to increased insurance costs and delays, directly affecting African citizens.

The recent strike on the Rubymar, a ship carrying fertilizer, damaged critical subsea cables, which threatened communication networks in the region. This event emphasised the broader economic and security risks posed by the conflict.

African countries, particularly those in East Africa, face critical consequences. Food supplies to millions depend on uninterrupted shipping via the Red Sea. The crisis exacerbates existing food insecurity, affecting refugees and internally displaced persons.

The organisation went on to explain that maritime security in Africa is inadequate to counter these threats.

This is due to no East African navy being able to effectively combat piracy, and divert resources from other security concerns like Sudan’s humanitarian crisis and Somalia’s regional tensions.

To mitigate this crisis, African nations have been urged to enhance maritime domain awareness and restore regional security cooperation.

Scaling up information-sharing networks and enhancing diplomatic efforts to protect trade routes and subsea cables were listed as essential steps.