The recent increase of foreign involvement in the Horn of Africa has revived the age-old drive of global and regional powers to dominate the Horn of African countries in order to safeguard security and commercial interests alike.
The revival of this great power competition in the Horn may put the region in the frontline of superpower rivalry, leading to destabilisation. While rivalry from the other shores of the Red Sea may contribute to short-term regional development, it may at the same time exacerbate intra-Horn tensions and result in long-term regional instability. A Horn of Africa regionally coordinated effort could handle the rivalry wisely and reverse the current deeply asymmetric relationship with the Gulf States towards an equal footing.
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