Djibouti Rejects Any Unilateral Plan to Tax Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Warns of Legal and Security Response

Horn post staff July 29, 2026

DJIBOUTI CITY — (Horn Post) The Republic of Djibouti has firmly rejected any unilateral attempt to impose tolls or taxes on vessels transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, warning that such a move would violate international maritime law, undermine regional sovereignty, and threaten one of the world’s most strategically important shipping corridors.

In a statement, Djibouti reaffirmed its commitment to the principle of freedom of navigation and the international legal framework governing straits used for international navigation, describing the Bab el-Mandeb as a shared international waterway linking the African and Asian continents.

The government said that any effort by a single coastal state to impose transit fees or taxes on ships using the strait would be inconsistent with international law and could jeopardize the security and stability of a maritime route critical to global commerce and energy supplies.

“As a directly affected neighboring state, Djibouti considers such a measure, if implemented, to constitute a unilateral challenge to the international status of the strait and an unacceptable escalation in the region,” the statement said.

Djibouti said it reserves the right to pursue diplomatic, legal, and security measures, independently or in coordination with regional and international partners, to safeguard its sovereign rights, ensure the safety of maritime navigation, and maintain stability in the Red Sea.

The government also urged the international community, relevant organizations, and maritime stakeholders to uphold the legal status of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as an open and secure international passage, warning against any attempt to use the strategic waterway as a tool for political or economic pressure.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints, serving as a vital link between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Millions of barrels of oil and a significant share of global trade pass through the corridor each day, making uninterrupted navigation essential for international shipping and energy markets.

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