The Middle East & Africa

Discussion on the ongoing and historical ties between the Middle East and Africa, particularly the impacts of political, economic, religious, and cultural factors.

Geographic Proximity: The Middle East and Africa share borders, leading to constant interaction and influence, notably in Northeastern Africa and the Sahel region.
Historical Influence: Relations date back to ancient civilizations:
- Egypt: A pivotal civilization historically linking the two regions due to the Nile River, which facilitates trade and cultural exchanges.
- The Nile flows through Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania, connecting multiple regions.
Colonial History:
- Egypt had periods of colonial rule (Ottoman, British) yet maintained military expeditions that led to control over parts of Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, and even Ethiopia.
- The Omani Empire also played a significant role, with Zanzibar as its capital, controlling trade along the Swahili Coast.

Islam: The religion emerged in the 7th century in the Arabian Peninsula, spreading quickly to North Africa and beyond (to Spain and Indonesia), creating a significant Arabic cultural identity that influenced North African states.
Ethnic and Sectarian Conflicts:
- The presence of both Sunni and Shia Muslims results in sectarian conflicts, notably evident in Nigeria with Islamic groups like Boko Haram.
- Religious clashes stem from local issues, including climate change and corruption, leading to appeals for order from extremist groups.

Oil Dependency: The oil trade is a major economic link:
- Approximately 40% of the world's oil consumption comes from the Gulf region (Saudi Arabia, Iran).
- African nations often depend on these resources for loans, investments, and financial help.
Petrodollars and Political Influence: Oil wealth translates to political leverage for Middle Eastern countries in Africa, affecting local politics and economies.

There is significant movement of Africans to the Middle East (Gulf States), some as permanent migrants and others as transient.
Communities from Eritrea and Sudan have found their way into Israel amidst broader migration trends to Europe and the United States.

Racism and Discrimination: Africans face significant racism in Middle Eastern nations, particularly in North Africa. Surveys indicate a pervasive perception of racial discrimination across many countries, with Tunisia reporting that 80% of its population sees it as a significant issue.
Food Security Initiatives: Middle Eastern countries, particularly the Gulf States, invest in buying agricultural land in Africa (e.g., Sudan, Ethiopia) to ensure food security due to their lack of fertile land.

Arms Manufacturing Growth: Countries in the Middle East, particularly Turkey, are moving from being arms importers to manufacturers, exporting to various African nations without stringent human rights considerations.
The ongoing civil wars in the Middle East (Yemen, Libya) create a spillover effect of arms into Africa, exacerbating conflicts.

BRICS Grouping: Middle Eastern countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE have become members of BRICS, potentially using it as a counterweight to American hegemony.
Proxy Wars: Middle Eastern conflicts (Iraq, Syria) influence local dynamics in Africa, with actors such as Iran positioning themselves to expand influence across the continent.
Somalia Case Study:
- Example of a complex political landscape with influences from various powers, including Turkey and UAE, affecting local governance and militant dynamics.

Civil Wars: Tensions between Sunni and Shia factions complicate local politics in various African countries and must be understood within this broader context.
Islamist Movements: There has been an increase in jihadist movements in Africa, with affiliations to groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, which have their roots in Middle Eastern conflicts.

The interactions between the Middle East and Africa are multi-faceted, involving historical, economic, religious, and political dimensions.
The evolution of these relations will critically shape future dynamics in both regions, with ongoing implications for migration, security, and economic stability.