TITLE:
Shifting Tides amidst Regional Challenges: Navigating Horn of Africa’s Geopolitical Chessboard—Literature Review
AUTHORS:
Abdikadir Issa Farah
KEYWORDS:
Globalization, Geopolitical Crisis, Sovereignty, Economic Forces, International and Customary Laws
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.12 No.2,
February
20,
2024
ABSTRACT: This
comprehensive paper, titled “Shifting Tides Amidst Regional Challenges”, offers a detailed
exploration of the intricate geopolitical conflicts unfolding in the Red Sea
and Gulf of Aden. Recent developments, including Ethiopia’s Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland and Somalia’s subsequent rejection due to
sovereignty concerns, form the basis for understanding the complex regional
landscape. Drawing from an extensive literature review, the paper navigates
through multifaceted challenges, examining the Nile River water dispute between
Ethiopia and Egypt and the alliances forming with global powers. The analysis
anticipates potential future scenarios, ranging from diplomatic resolutions to
heightened tensions, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach. The interconnectedness
of regional stability and power dynamics is explored, with a particular focus
on the security repercussions of geopolitical maneuvering. The Gulf of Aden, a
vital maritime route, emerges as a focal point for trade and economic
interests, intensifying geopolitical complexities. Motivations behind regional
alliances, encompassing economic imperatives, water disputes, and broader
geopolitical strategies, are explored in-depth. Unresolved conflicts in the Red
Sea and Gulf of Aden are scrutinized for their substantial consequences,
jeopardizing regional peace and influencing global trade and security dynamics.
The speculated alliance between Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates prompts a
thorough examination of economic and strategic motivations. Against this
backdrop, the conflict crisis between Western countries and the Houthi rebels
in Yemen intensifies, adding a critical dimension to the region’s geopolitical
dynamics. Recent incidents, such as the Houthi rebels kidnapping ships in the
Red Sea, underscore the volatility and security challenges faced by maritime
activities in the area. The ongoing conflict between Israel and the
Palestinians further complicates the geopolitical chessboard, emphasizing the
interconnectedness of conflicts across the broader region. The paper is
grounded in an exploration of globalization, geopolitical crises, sovereignty
concerns, economic forces, and adherence to international and customary laws.
Through this comprehensive analysis, it provides valuable perspectives on the
evolving dynamics shaping the critical region of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and
the broader Horn of Africa.