China in the Horn of Africa: BRICS, BRI, and Shifting Geopolitics

Abstract

The Horn of Africa, a region marked by a complex history of global power struggles, is now central to the emerging multipolar world order. This paper examines China’s strategic role in the Horn, arguing that it is crafting a new geopolitical narrative through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the BRICS bloc as interrelated foreign policy tools. Employing a multi-theoretical framework in International Relations that synthesizes Neorealism and Liberal Institutionalism, the analysis shows that the BRI facilitates economic integration and connectivity. At the same time, the BRICS provides a platform to challenge Western-dominated norms. The paper asserts that Horn of Africa states are active agents, employing various strategies to navigate this competition. The study concludes that China’s dual strategy is contributing to the emergence of a more multipolar regional order while intensifying great-power rivalries, underscoring the importance of strengthening African agency and coordinated regional diplomacy.