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Shifting centres & geopolitical futures of the Horn’s subnationalisms

This project examines how emerging centres in the Horn of Africa – including port cities such as Port Sudan and Berbera, and inland hubs like Semera – are transforming political authority, conflict dynamics, and centre–periphery relations.

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Credit: Shutterstock/Alexandra Tokarz

Lead researchers: Biruk Terrefe, Michael Woldemariam

Partner: University of Bayreuth

Duration: January 2026 – December 2026

Countries: Ethiopia, Sudan, Somaliland

By focusing primarily on Semera, while drawing comparative insights from Port Sudan and Berbera, the research seeks to generate fresh empirical and conceptual understandings of governance and regional transformation. It pays particular attention to port centric investment, the influence of Gulf states and Türkiye, and evolving security dynamics around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which together are contributing to the rise of alternative power hubs that challenge traditional political capitals.

For more information regarding this research, contact [email protected]

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