The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Yusuf, has strongly condemned the attacks claimed by the Houthi group on commercial oil tankers in the Red Sea, following their announcement of a maritime blockade targeting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In a press release, the Chairperson said that these actions are a major escalation of regional tensions and a threat to peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
Mahmoud Ali Yusuf said that the African Union stands fully with Saudi Arabia, reaffirming the organization’s support for the security, sovereignty and stability of the Kingdom.
He stressed that attacks on commercial vessels and any attempt to disrupt shipping lanes pose a serious threat to maritime security and undermine the freedom of navigation in international waters, in accordance with international law.
The Chairperson also noted that the security of the Red Sea routes is of strategic importance to African countries, as any disruption to trade flows could affect maritime trade connectivity, global supply chains, energy security and the economies of many African countries that rely on these routes.
Finally, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission called on the Houthis to immediately cease all attacks on commercial vessels and refrain from any action that could further escalate the tension, while respecting international law governing maritime traffic.
He also reiterated the African Union’s support for regional and international efforts to de-escalate the conflict, maintain security in the Red Sea, and seek a lasting peace solution in the Red Sea region and the Middle East.
