Global markets rarely reveal their vulnerabilities quietly. They do this when waterways are threatened, energy prices soar or supply chains break. Few regions embody this reality better than the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which are now among the most hotly contested maritime corridors in the world. What unfolds along these waters is no longer local. It affects economic security throughout the Arab world and beyond.

However, while this strategic corridor is receiving increasing attention, one factor continues to be underestimated: Somalia.

For decades, Somalia has been viewed primarily through the lens of conflict and fragility. This narrative no longer reflects today’s reality. The country is undergoing a consequential transformation, emerging from chronic instability, rebuilding state institutions, and reemerging as a sovereign state with increasing regional relevance. Situated at the intersection of the Arab world, Africa, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Somalia is not a peripheral country to regional stability. It’s the core of it.

Geography alone explains this significance. Somalia has the longest coastline on the African continent, bordering the Bab el-Mandab channel that connects the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the wider Indian Ocean. A large portion of global maritime trade and energy transport passes through this corridor. Disruptions off the coast of Somalia therefore have a direct impact on shipping reliability, energy markets and food security, issues of direct concern to Gulf states and Arab economies.

For the Arab world, Somalia should not be understood as a distant region but as a frontline partner for regional security. Stabilizing Somalia’s coastline helps contain threats before they reach the Arabian Peninsula, whether they are violent extremism, illicit trafficking networks, piracy, or the consolidation of a hostile external military presence on Africa’s eastern flank.

Somalia is not trying to build stability from scratch. Despite ongoing challenges, tangible progress has been made. Federal governance structures are working. National security forces are undergoing professionalization. Public financial management has improved. Diplomatically, Somalia has reiterated its position in the Arab League, African Union and multilateral forums. These gains are piling up every day and reflect a clear commitment to sovereign statehood, territorial unity and partnership rather than dependence. Today’s Somalia seeks strategic alliances based on common interests rather than charity.

Somalia’s relevance extends beyond security. As a member of the East African Community, the country has one of the fastest growing populations and consumption in the world. East Africa’s rapid population growth, urbanization and economic integration make Somalia a natural bridge between Gulf capital and Africa’s growth markets.

There is a clear opportunity for Somalia to become a logistics and transshipment gateway connecting the Gulf, Red Sea, East Africa and the Indian Ocean. Through targeted investments in ports, transport corridors and maritime security, Somalia can become a key node in regional supply chains that support trade diversification, food security and economic resilience across the Arab world.

At the heart of Somalia’s potential lies its dynamic population. More than 70% of Somalis are under 30 years old. This generation is increasingly urban, digital and entrepreneurial. Somali traders and business networks already operate in southern and eastern Africa, covering logistics, finance, retail and services. A large and dynamic diaspora across the Gulf, Europe, North America and Africa further amplifies this influence through remittances, investments and transnational expertise.

However, none of this momentum can be sustained without security. A capable Somali security sector with national legitimacy is the foundation for lasting stability, investment confidence and regional integration.

Therefore, for the Gulf states and the wider Arab world, supporting Somali security services is not an act of altruism. This is a strategic investment in a reliable and stable partner. Effective Somali security institutions directly contribute to protecting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden maritime corridors, countering transnational terrorism before it reaches Arab shores, protecting emerging logistics infrastructure, and preventing external actors from opportunities to exploit governance vacuums. This support must prioritize institution-building, Somali ownership, and long-term sustainability over short-term fixes or agency competition.

The stakes are rising. The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are entering a period of intense strategic competition. The fragmentation of Africa’s coastline poses a direct risk to Arab collective security. Recent developments underscore this urgency.

Israel’s unilateral recognition of the northern Somali region of Somaliland, outside the international legal framework and without Somali consent, is widely seen as an attempt to gain a military foothold in these strategic waters, thereby risking the introduction of the Arab-Israeli conflict into the Gulf security environment.

Even more troubling is the growing rhetoric advocating forcing Palestinians to leave Gaza and proposing their resettlement to Somaliland against their will. These ideas, whether formally proposed or not, are serious violations of international law and human dignity. Exporting the consequences of occupation and war onto African soil will not solve the conflict; it will multiply it.

For the Arab world, this should be a wake-up call. Allowing external actors to divide sovereign states or exploit fragile regions to resolve unresolved conflicts has long-term consequences. Therefore, Somalia’s unity and stability are fully consistent with Arab core strategic interests and long-term Arab positions on sovereignty, justice and self-determination.

Somalia is ready to be part of the solution. With aligned strategic support, particularly in security sector development and logistical infrastructure, Somalia can become a cornerstone of stability in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, a gateway to East Africa, and a long-term partner to the Arab world.

The question is no longer whether Somalia matters in regional and global Red Sea and Gulf of Aden discussions and planning. The question is whether the region will act on this reality before others.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al Jazeera.