The Government of Djibouti has issued an urgent appeal to the United Nations Security Council, stating that escalating instability near the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb strait is posing a severe threat to global trade flows and energy supplies.
During a Security Council session held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Djibouti’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Mohamed Siad Doualeh, emphasized that disruptions to these strategic maritime corridors are costing the entire world dearly. In his address, the Ambassador stated, “Freedom of navigation and unhindered transit in international straits are fundamental to global peace and security.”
According to Ambassador Doualeh, the conflicts and tensions emerging in these vital waterways are breaking supply chains and exerting heavy economic pressure, particularly on developing and vulnerable nations. He explained that while the Strait of Hormuz is critical for the global oil supply, the Bab el-Mandeb serves as a primary commercial artery connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The Ambassador noted that Djibouti, due to its geopolitical position, is uniquely sensitive to these threats. He asserted that safeguarding sea lanes is essential for international stability and reminded the Council that coastal states bear a significant responsibility in ensuring safe and uninterrupted maritime passage for all nations.
Furthermore, Djibouti reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to combating piracy and strengthening regional cooperation. The country highlighted its ongoing efforts to secure the seas alongside neighboring nations and international organizations, specifically through the “Djibouti Code of Conduct,” which facilitates information sharing and coordinated responses to maritime threats.
This warning comes at a time when shipping insurance costs have skyrocketed due to renewed military tensions and attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Doualeh urged the Security Council to take practical and coordinated action to curb these threats, stating, “Respecting international law and upholding maritime freedom is not an option—it is a necessity”.
