Small Power, Big Politics: The United Arab Emirates' Africa Policy

Abstract

This study focuses on the factors that determine the foreign policy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) towards the African continent, which has seen a notable increase in its influence in recent years. The UAE has undergone significant changes in its foreign policy and many other areas over the past two decades, during which time it has developed economic relations with numerous African countries and become the continent's fourth largest investor. The UAE's commitment to Africa is further underscored by the appointment of a minister specifically tasked with African affairs within the government, and the substantial capital influx facilitated by its companies and foundations. The UAE's engagement in Africa extends beyond the economic domain, encompassing military bases, cooperation agreements, and defence industry exports. This study explores the strategies employed by the UAE to augment its influence in Africa, with a particular emphasis on its economic and military connections. Furthermore, the study seeks to address the question of why the UAE is attempting to augment its influence in Africa, a region that has recently become a site of intense competition among global powers for dominance.

Keywords

• United Arab Emirates
• Africa
• Investment
• Trade
• Military
• Influence

Küçük Güç, Büyük Siyaset: Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri’nin Afrika Politikası

Abstract

Bu çalışma son yıllarda Afrika’da nüfuzunu artıran Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri’nin kıtaya yönelik politikasının belirleyici unsurları üzerine odaklanmaktadır. Son 20 yılda birçok alanda olduğu gibi dış politikada da önemli bir değişim yaşayan BAE’nin Afrika’nın birçok ülkesiyle ekonomik ilişkilerini geliştirdiği ve kıtaya en çok yatırım yapan dördüncü ülke olduğu görülmektedir. Afrika’ya verdiği önemi hükümet nezdinde Afrika işlerinden sorumlu bakan atayarak gösteren Abu Dabi yönetimi, şirketleri ve vakıfları aracılığıyla da kıtaya ciddi bir sermaye akışı sağlamıştır. Afrika’daki tek varlığı ekonomik alanla da sınırlı kalmayan BAE, askeri üsler, işbirliği anlaşmaları ve savunma sanayi ihracatlarıyla varlığını artırmıştır. Çalışmada BAE’nin Afrika’daki gücünü nasıl artırdığı ekonomik ve askeri bağlantılara odaklanılarak incelenmektedir. Buna ek olarak, son yıllarda yeniden büyük güçlerin nüfuz mücadelesi sahasına dönen Afrika’da BAE’nin neden güç artırmaya çalıştığı sorusuna da cevap aranmaya çalışılmıştır.

Keywords

• Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri
• Afrika
• Yatırım
• Ticaret
• Askeri
• Nüfuz

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