Competing Middle East Countries in the Horn of Africa: Economic and Security Implications for Ethiopia

Abstract

The rift among the Middle East countries and the export of their rivalry to the Horn of Africa in terms of proliferation of military installation and ports, increase in military training, military aid, and economic aid – coupled with their interventionist and coercive foreign policy towards the Horn of Africa has economic and security implications for the Horn of Africa in broader terms and Ethiopia in particular. The purpose of this study is to examine factors driving competitive engagement of Middle East countries in the Horn of Africa and the economic and security implication of competitive engagement of Middle East countries in the Horn of Africa for Ethiopia.
In doing so, the researcher used a qualitative methodology. Investment, trade, and tourism index, and data gathered from key informants and secondary sources of data were analyzed. Accordingly, the rift among the Middle East countries and their aspiration to extend their commercial and security interests in the Red Sea Basin and the Horn of Africa is the driving factor behind their competitive engagement in the region. Moreover, such competitive engagement of Middle East countries in the Horn of Africa has a security threat for Ethiopia and had minimal impact on the economy.