Africa needs more than envoys to secure the Red Sea
The Houthi movement has expanded its influence beyond Yemen, now controlling the Bab al-Mandab Strait and disrupting global trade. The article argues that Horn of Africa nations must move beyond diplomatic envoys and adopt more robust, integrated security strategies to counter these threats.
Why it matters
The Red Sea is a critical global trade artery, and the escalation of regional conflicts involving Iran-backed groups poses a significant risk to international economic stability.
By Moses Chrispus Okello Senior Researcher, Horn of Africa Security Analysis, ISS Addis Ababa
In September, Ansarullah (the Houthis) took control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, shattering the assumption that the insurgency was confined to northern Yemen. The group is now at the epicentre of the Middle East conflict and is the channel through which crises flow between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
Countries on either side of the Red Sea have responded asymmetrically to this shared shock. The Horn has dispatched more envoys while Middle Eastern countries, led by Saudi Arabia, are strengthening political institutions and hardwiring them with military deals. These include the newly signed Mecca Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) and the politically oriented 14-member Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition (MMDC).
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