Africa: How the Houthi-Saudi Conflict is Affecting African Countries

What the report says

A Deutsche Welle report distributed by AllAfrica says fighting tied to the Houthi-Saudi conflict is increasingly affecting countries around the Horn of Africa and the wider Red Sea corridor. The article centers on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway near Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia, and notes that Houthi forces captured Yemen’s Perim Island, which sits at the narrowest point of the passage. Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi allies, later launched a counteroffensive.

The piece says the disruption matters well beyond Yemen because African economies already face higher costs from instability in nearby shipping routes. If traffic through Bab el-Mandeb becomes more dangerous or blocked, ships could be forced to reroute through the Suez Canal or around southern Africa, raising transport and insurance costs that could be passed on to consumers. The report also links the conflict to pressure on fuel and fertilizer supplies, especially in import-dependent African states.

Djibouti is described as one of the most immediately affected countries. The article cites UNHCR data saying thousands of people have crossed from Yemen into Djibouti since early September, with more arrivals expected. It also highlights Djibouti’s role as a regional logistics and military hub, with several foreign military bases and ports handling goods for the broader region.

Ethiopia is presented as especially vulnerable because it relies heavily on Djibouti’s ports for trade. The report also places the Red Sea situation in a wider regional context, mentioning tensions in Ethiopia’s north and concern among African officials about keeping sea lanes open. As background, the article suggests that East African ports, including in Kenya and Tanzania, could gain some business if shipping patterns shift.