The Impacts of Uae’s Increasing Involvement in the Horn of Africa: The Case of Ethiopia Since 2018
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Date
2022-10-01
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Addis Ababa Univeristy
Abstract
The UAE's post-Arab spring involvement in the Horn of Africa changed the region's political
dynamics. The Gulf countries, especially the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, were
concerned about the consequences of the Arab world's revolutions. The Muslim Brotherhood, a
major wing in Egypt, was established in 1928 and has ideological differences with the
governments of the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The movement
advocated for young leadership and the reformation of Islam. However, the two countries
monarchal types of government are staining against such a reformist movement. Following the
civil war in Yemen, UAE and Saudi Arabia may have shifted attention to countering Iranian
expansion and Qatar crisis. Both started competing with each other in the Horn of Africa to
control and dominate the ports in the region: United Arab Emirates in Djibouti and Eritrea and
later in Somaliland to counter Iranian expansion towards the Horn of Africa region.
Key words: GCC, GERD, Ethiopia, UAE, Horn of Africa
The UAE's
involvement had a significant impact on the Ethiopian economy, as well as the region's peace
and security. The involvement somehow benefited Ethiopia, especially in the rapprochement with
Eritrea. Following the normalization of relations, trade between Ethiopia and the UAE
increased, and investment, cooperation, and aid helped Ethiopia to overcome economic
problems. The involvement benefits Ethiopia on the GERD issues because of its neutral stance
and relationship with Ethiopia. However, the UAE's involvement also increased regional
tensions, especially between Sudan and Ethiopia and Ethiopia with Egypt, which provoked
conflict in the region. Because of their fleeting interest in the Horn of Africa, they are unable to
provide dependable friendship to any nation in the region. Finally, though they brought the use
of alternative ports to Ethiopia, they created conflicting types of relations between Addis Ababa
and Somalia following the Berbera port development argument in 2016. Generally, the UAE's
involvement in the Horn of Africa brought more challenges for Ethiopia because of its interest in
the region
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Keywords
GCC, GERD, Ethiopia, UAE, Horn of Africa