The Military Bases of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates in The horn of Africa and Implications for Ethiopia Foreign Policy
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2020-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The study examines the military bases of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates in the Horn of Africa and implications for Ethiopia Foreign policy. Field data were collected through key informant interviews. The findings of the study are the following; The political motives for Saudi Arabia’s and United Arab Emirates’ military base expansion in the Horn of Africa is related to project power to weaken Iranian influences and counter increasing influences of Turkey and Qatar in the Horn of Africa. The security motives are connected to the crisis in Yemen; protecting the security of the geo strategic Bab el-Mandeb water way and countering the threats of piracy and terrorism. The economic factors are related to ensuring food security and economic diversification; securing energy and commercial interests in the region. The military factor is to ensure the country’s’ long term military presence in the Horn of Africa and protect their interests in the Red sea and the Arabian Peninsula areas. Saudi Arabia’s and United Arab Emirates’ military base expansions brought challenges for Ethiopia’s foreign policy through militarization of the region; undermine the unity of Somalia and affect Ethiopia’s interests in the utilization of the port of Djibouti and in the events of tension between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Blue Nile Water. The main opportunities of Saudi Arabia’s and United Arab Emirates’ military base expansions for Ethiopia’s foreign policy are; promote Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates’ investment and financial sources; enhance the strategy of diversifying port alternatives and supports the anti-piracy and anti-terrorism efforts.The findings of this study imply that the Ethiopian Government needs to develop a pragmatic and assertive foreign policy strategy and strengthen multilateral cooperation so as to utilize the opportunities and to minimize the challenges related with Saudi-Arabia’s and United Arab Emirates’ military bases in the Horn of Africa.
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The Military Bases of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates in The horn of Africa and Implications for Ethiopia Foreign Policy