The United Kingdom faces criticism for a diplomatic strategy in the Horn of Africa that analysts describe as a double game, where official statements often conflict with strategic and commercial actions.
In Sudan, while the British government publicly calls for accountability regarding the devastation caused by the war, internal documents suggest it opted for the least ambitious path to end hostilities, reports Al Jazeera.
This has led to accusations that the UK acts more as an interest manager than a peace broker, with some critics suggesting the country has helped whitewash atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces to protect its relationship with the United Arab Emirates.
This connection is particularly sensitive as United Nations experts have linked Emirati logistics networks to the supply routes used by the Rapid Support Forces, despite denials from Abu Dhabi.
A similar pattern of contradictory policy is evident in Somalia, where the UK officially supports the nation’s territorial integrity while simultaneously maintaining a commercial stake in the strategic Berbera Port within the breakaway region of Somaliland.
This involvement is facilitated through British International Investment in a joint venture with the Somaliland government and the Emirati logistics giant DP World.
Analysts note that while the UK does not formally recognize Somaliland, such large-scale investments are politically significant because they bolster the bargaining power of de facto authorities and serve as a vital trade corridor for Ethiopia.
The implications of these policies include the creation of what historians call a revenue complex, where external infrastructure projects allow states to finance themselves through international investors rather than through negotiations with their own citizens.
This process can undermine the domestic fiscal contract and allow the UK to maintain an ambiguity by choice, securing commercial and counter-terrorism benefits while avoiding the political costs of a clear diplomatic stance. However, this approach has drawn fire for prioritizing security and economic interests over human rights, such as when the UK was accused of suppressing a report on civilian killings in Somaliland in 2023.
Ultimately, analysts warn that while this dual-track policy might preserve short-term influence, it risks eroding the UK’s long-term moral authority to mediate for peace in the region.
