ASSESSMENTS

Washington Wakes Up to East Africa's Importance

Nov 29, 2018 | 11:00 GMT

A man holds the flags of Eritrea, left, and Ethiopia as he waits for the arrival of Eritrea's president at an airport in Gondar, northern Ethiopia, on Nov. 9. Profound changes are afoot in the Horn of Africa -- something that won't escape the attentions of great powers like the United States.

(EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP/Getty Images)

Highlights

Peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia will be a boon for regional stability, providing foreign powers with ample opportunity to increase their economic influence.
Fears of growing Chinese and Russian influence may be driving recent moves by the United States, which suddenly reversed its opposition to the removal of U.N. sanctions against Eritrea.
As part of a shift in focus to counter Beijing and Moscow, Washington will remove some of its Africa-based personnel, yet it will continue to focus on Djibouti and Somalia, especially because of Islamist militancy in the latter.

The Horn of Africa is in the midst of profound change. From a summer peace deal between longtime enemies Ethiopia and Eritrea to multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects, the region is transforming, providing opportunities for outside powers to enhance their economic influence. In recent months, Russia and China's interest in sub-Saharan Africa has forced the United States to sit up and take notice -- particularly with regard to activity in the Horn of Africa. All of it begs the question: How will Washington move forward in the evolving region?...

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