AU Commission urges Red Sea de-escalation, warns of risks to African economies

The African Union Commission called for urgent de-escalation in the Red Sea region on September 17, 2026, warning that threats to shipping could disrupt trade, energy security and African economies.

In a statement, the Commission urged an immediate halt to attacks against civilians, economic infrastructure and commercial vessels. It reaffirmed freedom of navigation through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and called for dialogue to prevent hostilities from spreading.

The Commission condemned what it described as Houthi attacks on civilian targets and economic infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, alongside attacks and threats against commercial shipping. These assertions are attributed to the Commission; its statement does not provide an independently verified account of each incident.

The statement singled out the Horn of Africa and countries bordering the Red Sea as having a direct strategic interest in the route’s security. It also warned that a wider Middle East confrontation could bring humanitarian, security and economic consequences to Africa.

Fana Media Corporation reported the warning on September 17. The [African Union’s published statement](https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20260917/statement-african-union-commission-escalation-red-sea-region) confirms the Commission’s position.