Saudi Arabia, Five African Nations Launch Red Sea Maritime Security Alliance
Saudi Arabia has announced plans to establish a multinational maritime defence coalition to strengthen security across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, bringing together eight coastal nations, including five African countries.
The proposed alliance includes Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia. Its main objective is to protect one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, which handles about 12 per cent of global trade and serves as a key corridor for oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and container shipments between Africa, Europe, and Asia.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Defence, the coalition will improve cooperation among member states to secure international shipping lanes, protect commercial and energy routes, and strengthen joint maritime defence operations across the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden.
The announcement comes amid growing security concerns in the region following repeated attacks on commercial vessels linked to ongoing tensions involving the United States, Iran, Israel, and Iran-backed armed groups. The attacks have forced several international shipping companies to avoid the Red Sea, choosing the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope, leading to higher transport costs and delivery delays.
For Africa, the alliance carries significant strategic importance. Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia occupy some of the continent’s most vital maritime locations. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, located between Djibouti, Eritrea, and Yemen, is one of the world’s most critical shipping chokepoints, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
Any disruption along this route can affect Africa’s trade, energy supplies, imports, exports, and food security.
Egypt also plays a crucial role through the Suez Canal, one of its biggest sources of foreign exchange. Revenue from the canal has already declined as many shipping companies continue to divert vessels away from the Red Sea due to security risks.
Beyond improving maritime security, the new coalition highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the region. Riyadh has expanded investments in Red Sea ports, logistics infrastructure, and defence partnerships with African countries.
For nations such as Djibouti and Somalia, closer security cooperation is also expected to strengthen efforts against piracy, illegal fishing, arms trafficking, and human smuggling, which have remained major threats to economic development and regional stability.
