THE INFLUENCE OF GULF STATES IN AFRICAN POLITICS: QATAR, SAUDI ARABIA AND UNITED ARAB EMIRATES IN FOCUS
This paper analyzes the rising influence of Gulf States, specifically the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, in Africa’s political sphere. It argues that Gulf engagement in Africa extends well beyond conventional diplomacy, representing a multifaceted political strategy encompassing investments, security cooperation, humanitarian operations, religious outreach, media influence, and statecraft. The paper examines the strategies these countries deploy to project influence in African political environments, and the ways in which their involvement affects governance, foreign policy orientation, regime stability, and conflict dynamics in selected African states. Using a qualitative-comparative secondary research design, the study draws on documentary analysis of official government records, policy papers, development finance data, trade and investment information, conflict datasets, and existing scholarly literature. The findings reveal that while all three Gulf states pursue strategic foothold in Africa, they rely on distinct mechanisms: the UAE deploys commercial diplomacy, port access, logistics infrastructure, and security alliances; Saudi Arabia combines economic engagement with religious and strategic diplomacy; and Qatar focuses on mediation, humanitarian diplomacy, and soft power. The paper further demonstrates that Gulf inter-state rivalry has deepened alliances and exacerbated tensions among African countries, particularly in the Horn of Africa, North Africa, and the Sahel. At the same time, this competition has created bargaining opportunities for African states in their engagement with Gulf actors.
Keywords: African Politics, Gulf States, Religious Outreach, Strategic Diplomacy, Statecraft
