The Horn of Africa at a Crossroads: Liberation or Entrapment?

The Horn of Africa stands at a historic juncture, caught between the aspirations of its people for genuine independence and the persistent grip of external powers determined to maintain their stranglehold over the region. Over the past decade, the strategic importance of the Horn has drawn global players into a tense competition for influence, with nations like the UAE and Israel acting as instruments of Western dominance. Their growing involvement in Somaliland, Eritrea, and other parts of the region has dire implications for the Horn’s sovereignty, economy, and stability. To achieve true liberation, the Horn of Africa must reject these partnerships and embrace a vision of self-reliance rooted in the values of Pan-African unity and collaboration with emerging multipolar powers.

The UAE and Israel: Tools of Western Neo-Imperialism

Strategic Objectives of the UAE and Israel

Both the UAE and Israel’s involvement in the Horn of Africa is closely tied to Western geopolitical goals. The region's proximity to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, makes it invaluable for global trade, particularly oil and military logistics. By securing a foothold in the Horn, the UAE and Israel serve as proxies for Western powers seeking to maintain control over the Red Sea, counter the rising influence of China and BRICS nations, and suppress any threats to their global economic and military dominance.

• The UAE: Through its military base in Berbera, Somaliland, and infrastructure projects in the region, the UAE claims to be investing in development. However, these initiatives primarily serve its geopolitical ambitions, such as monitoring maritime routes and projecting power in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Its interventions have fueled local tensions, exacerbated political fragmentation, and prioritized external interests over local development.

• Israel: Israel’s strategic partnership with Somaliland is driven by its desire to secure a presence near the Red Sea, counter Iranian influence, and establish alliances in regions historically resistant to Western dominance. By engaging with Somaliland, Israel not only undermines Somalia's sovereignty but also integrates the Horn of Africa into its broader Middle Eastern strategy, which often aligns with U.S. and European interests.

The False Promise of Development

Both nations frame their involvement as a partnership for development and security, but their actions reveal a different agenda. Ports, military bases, and intelligence networks serve as tools for resource extraction and surveillance, rather than empowering local communities. The infrastructure projects, while touted as beneficial, largely serve foreign investors and international trade, leaving the people of the Horn with little tangible benefit. The sinking of the Sea Story yacht in Egypt underscores this pattern: despite billions in Western aid, maritime safety remains underfunded and poorly managed, highlighting how foreign investments often fail to meet the region’s basic needs.

Blocking BRICS and China: A New Front in Global Competition

The rise of BRICS and China’s Belt and Road Initiative presents an alternative to Western dominance. By investing in infrastructure, providing loans without political strings, and fostering trade, China and its allies offer a path for nations in the Horn to break free from the exploitative systems of the IMF and World Bank.

However, the UAE and Israel’s involvement is a deliberate attempt to block this alternative. Their partnerships in Somaliland and Eritrea aim to counter Chinese influence, ensure that the Horn remains tethered to Western economic systems, and prevent the region from joining the emerging multipolar world order. For instance:

• The UAE’s investments in Somaliland’s ports compete directly with China-backed projects in Djibouti.

• Israel’s security alliances align with Western strategies to contain BRICS influence in Africa, ensuring the Horn remains a satellite of Western geopolitical interests.

This competition undermines the region’s ability to determine its own destiny, turning it into a pawn in the larger struggle between global powers.

The Cost of Dependency: Instability and Exploitation

The Horn of Africa’s reliance on foreign powers like the UAE and Israel has come at a steep cost. Rather than fostering stability, these partnerships have deepened political divisions and perpetuated cycles of conflict and underdevelopment.

Political Fragmentation

Somaliland’s quest for recognition, fueled by its partnerships with the UAE and Israel, has created tensions with Somalia and other neighboring countries. By supporting Somaliland’s unilateral ambitions, these external actors exacerbate regional disputes, undermining efforts to build unity and cooperation in the Horn.

Economic Exploitation

Foreign investments in ports and infrastructure often prioritize profit over people. The revenue generated from these projects rarely benefits local communities, instead lining the pockets of foreign investors and corrupt officials. This model of development leaves the region trapped in a cycle of dependency, unable to build sustainable economies that serve its own people.

Militarization and Conflict

The militarization of the Horn, driven by UAE bases and Israeli intelligence networks, has turned the region into a battleground for proxy wars and geopolitical rivalries. This not only destabilizes local governments but also diverts resources away from critical needs like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

True Liberation: A Path Forward

To achieve true liberation, the Horn of Africa must reject the exploitative partnerships offered by the UAE and Israel and chart a new course based on self-reliance, Pan-African solidarity, and strategic alliances with emerging powers like BRICS.

Embracing Pan-African Unity

The Horn’s future lies in the hands of its people. By fostering unity among nations like Somalia, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, the region can build a collective front against external interference. Pan-Africanism provides a framework for cooperation, emphasizing shared goals of sovereignty, self-determination, and mutual development.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Rather than aligning with powers that exploit the region’s resources, the Horn should seek partnerships with nations that respect its sovereignty and offer fair terms. BRICS, with its focus on infrastructure development and trade, provides an alternative to the exploitative practices of Western-backed powers.

Investing in Local Development

True liberation requires prioritizing the needs of local communities. Investments in education, healthcare, and sustainable industries must take precedence over military bases and extractive projects. By building strong, self-sufficient economies, the Horn can break free from cycles of dependency and exploitation.

Conclusion: The Horn’s Fight for Freedom

The UAE and Israel’s involvement in the Horn of Africa represents a continuation of Western neo-imperialism, cloaked in the rhetoric of development and security. Their actions serve to entrench the region’s dependency, suppress its potential, and block its path toward true independence.

But the Horn’s story is not yet written. By rejecting these partnerships and embracing a vision of liberation rooted in Pan-African values and global solidarity, the region can reclaim its destiny. The path forward will not be easy, but it is the only way to ensure that the Horn of Africa becomes a beacon of sovereignty, stability, and progress in an increasingly multipolar world.