East African Nations Unite to Tackle Maritime Security Challenges
Security officials from Ethiopia, Yemen, Djibouti and Somalia gathered in Nairobi this week for a two-day Maritime Law Enforcement Dialogue, facilitated by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The meeting, supported by the European Union, INTERPOL, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), aimed to strengthen information-sharing and cooperation across the region.
The dialogue comes amid growing concerns over maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, a critical corridor for global trade. According to UNODC’s Regional Coordinator for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Mostafa Elbanna, the region faces a complex mix of interconnected challenges, including piracy, illegal fishing, trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling and narcotics trafficking.
“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,” Elbanna said.
Threats Without Borders
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. Officials noted that developments in one part of the region increasingly have consequences elsewhere.
Abdurrahim Muhammad Ali of the Djibouti Maritime Authority highlighted the impact of attacks on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz on the Gulf of Aden. “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],” he said.
Captain Kibru Mesfin of the Ethiopian Maritime Authority pointed out that most of Ethiopia's trade passes through neighbouring Djibouti, making maritime security a national priority. He argued that stronger links between maritime authorities, coast guards and law enforcement agencies across the region are essential to keeping trade flowing. Mesfin also called for more organized and harmonized systems for sharing maritime information among neighbouring countries, including Djibouti, Yemen and Somalia.
Rising Piracy and Geopolitical Pressures
The dialogue takes place against a backdrop of rising piracy incidents. According to the UN, the number of piracy incidents in East Africa increased by 40% over the past year. This surge was underscored by a July 2026 ruling in which an Indian court sentenced 44 Somalis to life imprisonment for seizing the MV Ruen and Al Kambar vessels in 2024.
The economic damage from piracy is estimated at $7-12 billion per year, driven by higher insurance premiums and operating costs. Pirates are also improving their tactics, posing a significant threat to shipping.
Geopolitical conflicts have further complicated the security landscape. Attacks by the Yemeni Houthis in the Red Sea have reduced traffic through the Suez Canal and forced detours to the Cape of Good Hope, increasing the cost and time of cargo delivery. In response, international military missions have been deployed in the region, including with the participation of the United States and Great Britain.
Multilateral Efforts and National Initiatives
Beyond the dialogue, several initiatives are underway to bolster maritime security in the region. In February 2026, the Cutlass Express 2026 exercise took place in Port Louis, Mauritius, with participation from 19 countries, including the US, UK, India, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia and Tanzania.
Kenya, with the support of the IMO, trained 24 specialists from seven national agencies to conduct port security audits in accordance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS). Tanzania allocated $6.45 million for the purchase of two modern patrol boats.
Operational improvements have also been noted. The introduction of a system of fixed time intervals for mooring at the ports of Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) reduced the waiting time for ships to one day.
The UN Office on Counter-Terrorism developed a collection titled 'Navigating the Nexus' containing 24 practical recommendations for African countries. Additionally, with funding from the European Union, the IMO is implementing a program to improve the safety of ports and shipping in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean.
A Call for Continued Cooperation
Officials at the Nairobi dialogue emphasized that cooperation remains one of the most effective tools for protecting seafarers, safeguarding trade and maintaining stability in the region. As threats evolve and become more interconnected, the need for coordinated action among neighbouring countries and international partners is more urgent than ever.