What's happened
Regional tensions in the Horn of Africa have intensified as Gulf states, notably the UAE and Saudi Arabia, deepen their influence amid regional conflicts. The UAE backs Somaliland and invests heavily in ports, while Saudi Arabia builds alliances with Somalia and Egypt. These rivalries threaten regional stability and involve military, diplomatic, and economic maneuvers.
What's behind the headline?
The expanding Gulf influence in the Horn of Africa underscores a broader regional power struggle. The UAE's deep port investments and support for Somaliland's port infrastructure exemplify its strategy of economic and military entrenchment, often bypassing Mogadishu's authority. Conversely, Saudi Arabia's diplomatic efforts, including military agreements with Somalia and support for regional stability, aim to counterbalance Emirati influence. This rivalry is likely to escalate, risking further destabilization in already fragile states like Sudan and Somalia. The recent signing of a military cooperation pact between Somalia and Saudi Arabia signals a shift towards more formalized alliances, which could reshape regional security dynamics. The involvement of Egypt and Turkey further complicates the picture, as they seek to secure their interests amid Gulf competition. Ultimately, these rivalries threaten to prolong conflicts and undermine regional stability, with the potential to impact global shipping routes via the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
What the papers say
The articles from Reuters and The New Arab highlight the intensifying regional rivalry, with Reuters emphasizing the Gulf states' influence across the Horn and the shifting alliances, while The New Arab details the specific military agreements and investments, such as Somalia's pact with Saudi Arabia and the UAE's port developments in Somaliland. Both sources underscore the strategic importance of the region and the geopolitical maneuvers by Gulf powers. Al Jazeera adds context by noting the broader regional implications, including the fractured Gulf alliance and the potential for increased conflict. The contrasting perspectives reveal a complex web of diplomacy, military support, and economic interests, with the Gulf states vying for dominance in a geopolitically critical area.
How we got here
The Gulf rivalry in the Horn of Africa stems from competing strategic interests, especially over key maritime routes and regional influence. The UAE has embedded itself through port investments and proxies, while Saudi Arabia seeks to counterbalance Emirati influence by strengthening alliances with Somalia, Egypt, and others. Tensions have been heightened by recent conflicts in Yemen, Sudan, and internal regional disputes, with Gulf states vying for dominance in this geopolitically vital area.
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More on these topics
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Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.
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Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is a sovereign country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Guardafui Channel and Somali Sea to the east, and Kenya to the southwest.
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The United Arab Emirates, sometimes simply called the Emirates, is a sovereign state in Western Asia at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south and west, as well as sharing m
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Somaliland, officially the Republic of Somaliland, is an unrecognised sovereign state in the Horn of Africa, internationally considered to be part of Somalia. Somaliland lies in the Horn of Africa, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden.
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Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, South Sudan to the west and Sudan to
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Qatar, officially the State of Qatar, is a country located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.