OFFICIAL STATEMENT
From: Eritrean Seaman Union (ESU)
መወከሲ ቁ. MR.21925-03
Date: 21/09/2025

To:

– H.E. Chairperson, African Union Commission
– Secretary-General, United Nations
– Secretary-General, International Maritime Organization (IMO)
– Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
– High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
– Relevant Regional and International Organizations Concerned with the Red Sea

Excellencies,
At this critical moment, the Eritrean Seaman Union raises its voice with a clear message: the peoples of Eritrea and Ethiopia cannot afford another war. Both nations have endured immense suffering, and renewed conflict would bring only more loss, instability, and division.
Instead, we must choose the path of dialogue, stability, and cooperation. The Red Sea and the Horn of Africa should be a bridge between our peoples, not a battlefield. Seafarers, coastal communities, and future generations depend on a stable region where trade, security, and mutual respect can flourish.
Our Concerns:-

1. Red Sea Security – Rising disputes and uncoordinated national policies threaten the safe passage of vessels and global trade through this strategic waterway.
2. Impact on Seafarers – Eritrean and regional seafarers face increasing uncertainty that endangers their safety, livelihoods, and the well-being of their families.
3. Regional Tensions – Political and economic pressures risk escalating into broader instability, undermining peace, maritime safety, and international cooperation.

Our Call to Action:-

The Eritrean Seaman Union respectfully calls upon the African Union, United Nations, IMO, IGAD, European Union, and all relevant organizations to:
– Support inclusive dialogue among Red Sea and Horn of Africa states to secure maritime safety and regional stability.
– Safeguard the dignity and rights of seafarers, ensuring that they are not made victims of political or economic crises.
– Strengthen cooperative frameworks to prevent conflict, improve economic coordination, and protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
Closing
The Red Sea is a global artery of trade and a shared heritage of the peoples who live along its coasts. Its stability must be treated as an international priority. As a union representing Eritrean seafarers, we stand ready to work with all regional and global partners to advance peace, security, and cooperation.

Souvenir of Respect
This statement is also dedicated as a souvenir of respect to the peoples of Eritrea and Ethiopia, whose shared history, sacrifices, and seafaring legacy demand that we honor peace above conflict. May the Red Sea remain a bridge of unity — never again a line of division — between our nations.

Respectfully,
Paulo Antonio Giovanni
President, Eritrean Seaman Union (ESU)