The Chinese and American Military Installations in Djibouti: National and Regional Security Implications

Abstract

This qualitative case study examines American and Chinese military installations in Djibouti and their regional security implications. Data were collected from secondary sources. Besides, I relied on key informant interviews and media reports to generate qualitative data. What emerges from this analysis is that the two great powers have competing interests in the Horn of Africa. America is working to limit Chinese presence in the region. On the other hand, in 2013, China introduced its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects that serve as economic means of political interventions. The advent of great power rivalries in the Horn of Africa presents a major regional security challenge. First, the presence of rival powers in the Horn of Africa has exacerbated regional tensions. The protracted civil war in Ethiopia is a case in point. Second, the military engagements of the two great powers have brought securitization of ports and militarization of the Horn region. And third, U.S.–China rivalry at the systemic level has been reflected in the Horn of Africa. The integration of Indo-Pacific security space with the Horn of Africa has cast its long shadow in the Horn of Africa.

Keywords

• Military base
• Horn of Africa
• Djibouti
• great power politics