Objectives and Characteristics of the Involvement of the Gulf Monarchies in the Horn of Africa: The Qatari Case (2010–2026)

Abstract

In recent years, three Gulf monarchies—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar—have gained increasing prominence within the turbulent Middle Eastern landscape, while seeking to expand both their regional and international projection. In pursuit of this objective, these actors have demonstrated a growing interest in the Horn of Africa, a region of strategic importance due to its geographic location, the maritime routes that surround it, and its wealth of natural resources, including critical minerals. Accordingly, the central research question guiding this study is: What are the objectives and characteristics of the involvement of Gulf monarchies -particularly Qatar- in the Horn of Africa? To address this question, the study examines the relevance of the Horn of Africa for Gulf actors, identifies the objectives these countries pursue in the region, and analyzes the main features of their engagement, with a specific focus on Qatar. Methodologically, the research adopts a qualitative design and an analytical-descriptive approach, relying primarily on secondary sources.