Geopolitics of the Red Sea: Implications of foreign military bases expansion to the Horn of Africa security

ABSTRACT

The Red Sea region has rapidly changed during the last decades due to growing foreign countries’ rivalry and military base expansion. This study examines foreign countries’ military base expansion and its implications for the Horn of Africa’s security. ⁠The study uses a qualitative research approach, collecting data from secondary sources. The study argues that foreign countries’ military base expansion in the Red Sea region has both advantages and disadvantages to the Horn of Africa region. Foreign military presence in the Red Sea region enables the region’s states to combat terrorism and piracy and has economic benefits and military experience sharing with host states. However, foreign military presence will exacerbate patronage, open avenues for interference in the internal affairs of states, and foreign countries competition complicates the security of the volatile Horn of Africa region. Hence, the Red Sea littoral states shall strengthen their cooperation to reduce the adverse effect of foreign countries’ military base expansion and enhance their political, economic, and diplomatic bargaining power.

KEYWORDS:

• Geopolitics
• foreign powers
• Horn of Africa
• military base, Red Sea
• security

Acknowledgment

I have respect for the reviewers.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Estifanos Balew Liyew

Estifanos Balew Liyew belongs to Samera, Ethiopia and is a lecturer at Samara University. He received his BA in civics and ethical studies and BA in economics. He received his LLB, MA in human rights, M. Sc. in development economics and MA in political science and is pursuing human rights law. His works include: Liyew, Estifanos Balew. “Female Genital Mutilation in the Afar Community: A Practice Against Female’s Human Rights.” Journal of Human Rights and Social Work 7, 322–330 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-022-00213-4. Liyew, Estifanos Balew. “Political Transition Tribulations in Sudan: Implications for Social Work Practice.” Journal of Human Rights and Social Work 8, 218–229 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-023-00256-1. Liyew, Estifanos Balew. “Human Rights Implication of China–Africa Relationship.” Journal of Human Rights and Social Work (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-023-00287-8.