Conflicts in the Horn of Africa have been greatly influenced by Gulf states, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Their involvement has increased since the 2010s, with priorities frequently centred on regional dominance, strategic ports, and Red Sea security—sometimes at the price of local stability. Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Sudan are among the impacted nations.
Important Gulf Influence Mechanisms: The UAE invests in Assab (Eritrea) and controls Berbera (Somaliland). In order to support anti-Houthi operations, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have bases in Djibouti.
Aid and Investments: Gulf states offer unconditional funding for infrastructure, mineral extraction, agriculture, and political alignment.
Proxy Support: While Qatar and Turkey support Somalia’s federal government and some Al-Shabaab-affiliated groups, the UAE supports Somaliland, Puntland, and Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces.
Gulf State Rivalries
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are now at higher levels of tension. Saudi Arabia uses alliances with Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar to counter the UAE’s aggressive investments and diplomacy. These divisions were further exacerbated by the fallout between Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia in 2017, when Qatar was active in Mogadishu and the UAE in Puntland.
| Gulf State | Key Allies | Influence Tactics |
| UAE | Somaliland, Ethiopia, Sudan, RSF, Eritrea | Military bases, port deals, covert arms |
| Saudi Arabia | Djibouti, Sudan (pre-2019), Egypt bloc | Anti-Iran operations, economic aid, counter-UAE moves |
| Qatar/Turkey | Somalia federal government | Humanitarian aid, military training, and anti-UAE mediation |
Effects on the stability of the region
The Gulf’s involvement has made conflicts last longer, like the civil war in Somalia, the human rights problems in Sudan, and the tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea. As of 2026, UAE-Saudi fights at AU summits and ongoing threats from Iran and the Houthis could spill over, making peace efforts even harder because there is less Gulf mediation.
FAQs
Q1: Why do Gulf states care so much about the Horn of Africa?
The Gulf is interested in the area because of its strategic ports, security in the Red Sea, and access to resources.
Q2: What effect do rivalries in the Gulf have on conflicts in the area?
They make proxy wars worse, strengthen factions, and make it less likely that people will agree to settle their differences.
Q3: Is it possible for countries in the region to fight Gulf influence?
Partly through regional coalitions, African Union mediation, and balancing foreign investments, though outside influence is still strong.
