IEEE – Emiratis, Saudis and Qataris cross the Red Sea. What are the Gulf monarchies doing in Africa? (reissue).

2023-07-03 06:03:00

03/07/2023

Emiratis, Saudis and Qataris cross the Red Sea. What are the Gulf monarchies doing in Africa? (reissue).- Óscar Garrido Guijarro

Emiratis, Saudis and Qataris have crossed the Red Sea and arrived in sub-Saharan Africa to stay. Its presence on the continent, which has taken a qualitative leap over the last fifteen years, is consolidated. The Gulf monarchies need to maintain control of the security and navigation of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden if they want to safeguard their internal stability, their commercial interests and their food security, and this dominance is only possible by being present on both shores.

The Emiratis, Saudis and Qataris consider sub-Saharan Africa as a laboratory in which they can test interventions that favor their objectives on the international scene, and they work in this region with the aim of building a status of international power, acting as leading actors. order, in the affairs and conflicts of the continent. Thus, in recent years, the Gulf countries have opened dozens of embassies in sub-Saharan Africa and have intervened diplomatically in African conflicts with the aim of increasing their international prestige. The Saudis and Emiratis are also seeking to play a leading role in the fight against terrorism in West Africa motivated by the desire to enhance their international reputation as serious partners in the fight against jihadism.

Document prepared by Óscar Garrido Guijarro. Analyst of the Spanish Institute of Strategic Studies. Doctor in Peace and International Security. @oscarcarrido