Balancing or Bandwagoning? Horn of Africa States Relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran

How is the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran reflected in the Horn of Africa? The purpose of the study was to investigate Horn of Africa states' relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran and to determine whether they perform a bandwagoning or a balancing role in the relations between the two Persian Gulf states. The study aimed to realize three objectives, namely, to examine the trends in consolidation or diminishing of power by Saudi Arabia and Iran over the past two decades in the Horn of African States, to investigate what HOA states have bandwagoned or balanced in the Iran — Saudi relations and assess the reason underpinning their policy, and to examine the impact of the HOA countries' relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran on the role of Africa in global politics. The findings of the show that Saudi Arabia has continued to consolidate its power within the HOA despite having initially viewed its direct engagement with the region with significant indifference. On the other hand, trends in Iran engagement with the HOA reveal a diminishing power of Iranian in the region. The findings also revealed that HOA countries have mostly chosen to bandwagon with Saudi Arabia and balance against Iranian influence. This has been especially following the escalation in Saudi Arabia — Iran relations.