Somalia, regional officials meet in Nairobi to strengthen Red Sea, Gulf of Aden maritime security

Saturday August 29, 2026

© UN Nairobi Participants at the 5th Regional Maritime Law Enforcement Dialogue for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Nairobi (HOL) — Security officials from Somalia, Ethiopia, Yemen and Djibouti met in Nairobi this week for a regional dialogue aimed at strengthening maritime law enforcement in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The two-day Maritime Law Enforcement Dialogue, facilitated by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with support from the European Union, INTERPOL, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), focused on strengthening information-sharing and cooperation across the region.

The meeting focused on improving information-sharing, coordination and cooperation among countries facing shared maritime threats.

Officials said the talks came at a critical time, as maritime tensions across parts of the Middle East continue to affect security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

“If you are talking about threats, the current attacks on the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz have an impact on Gulf of Aden because [they are] affecting maritime security. Pirates use this opportunity and the distraction of the maritime forces globally to do more attacks in this area, because they know that everyone is busy [looking in another direction],” said Abdurrahim Muhammad Ali of the Djibouti Maritime Authority.

The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden form one of the world’s most important maritime corridors, linking regional economies to international markets. Any disruption can affect shipping routes, supply chains and the movement of goods far beyond the region.

According to Mostafa Elbanna, UNODC’s Regional Coordinator for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden under its Global Maritime Crime Programme, the region faces a complex mix of interconnected challenges.

“[This is a great time] to have this kind of discussions and dialogue with different agencies and law enforcement to talk about their challenges, and also the way forward when it comes to maritime security,” he said.

Key concerns discussed at the meeting included piracy, illegal fishing, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and narcotics trafficking.

Officials said developments in one part of the region increasingly have consequences elsewhere, making information-sharing and coordinated responses more important.

Although piracy remains well below its peak more than a decade ago, Elbanna said countries are now better equipped to respond through stronger law enforcement, improved data collection and greater regional cooperation.

For landlocked Ethiopia, officials said maritime security is also an economic priority.

Capt. Kibru Mesfin of the Ethiopian Maritime Authority said most of Ethiopia’s trade passes through neighboring Djibouti, making secure sea lanes critical to the country’s economy.

He said disruptions to maritime routes can raise shipping and insurance costs, delay essential goods and weaken export capacity, placing pressure on businesses and consumers.

Mesfin called for stronger links between maritime authorities, coast guards and law enforcement agencies across the region to keep trade moving.

He also urged more organized and harmonized systems for sharing maritime information among neighboring countries, including Djibouti, Yemen and Somalia.

Establishing a National Maritime Information Centre and strengthening regional connections would help authorities access timely information needed for maritime security and decision-making, he said.

Officials from across the region said the threats they face are often the same, regardless of national borders.

Ali listed maritime terrorism, illegal fishing, robbery, trafficking, irregular migration and smuggling among Djibouti’s main concerns.

“The practical outcome is to get closer and share information from Yemen, Somalia and Ethiopia. We have the same challenges,” he said.

Participants discussed ways to improve maritime domain awareness, strengthen operational cooperation and develop more coordinated responses to incidents at sea.

Officials said cooperation remains one of the most effective tools for protecting seafarers, safeguarding trade and maintaining stability along some of the world’s busiest shipping routes.