French Foreign Policy in the Horn of Africa Region

Abstract

The Horn of Africa has gained strategic importance due to its transit location and the rapid growth of regional economies. The French Republic, historically is presented in the region through its military base in Djibouti and seeks to consolidate and expand its influence. Paris seeks to gain a foothold in the energy, infrastructure, and arms markets and to expand its cooperation with key Middle Eastern partners. The Djibouti base itself serves as the northwestern flank of the French presence in the IndoPacific. Nevertheless, the French policy faces several challenges: regional destabilization, the rise of great power rivalry, and the lack of a broad foreign policy toolkit. Nevertheless, Paris seeks to overcome the challenges and its own financial limitations by building networks of presence through its cultural and humanitarian institutions. Moreover, due to Brexit, Paris is the only power representing the EU in the IndoPacific through its military bases, which may facilitate the europeanization of French foreign policy in the region.