Gulf heavyweights vie for influence in African ‘backyard’

Gulf heavyweights vie for influence in African ‘backyard’

Dancers and drummers swarmed the Saudi delegation from the moment they touched down in Somalia's capital to launch new aid projects, part of the kingdom's ramped-up outreach to the African nation.Yet as they politely applauded agreements to provide stationery for schoolchildren and watering points for livestock, some Somali officials made clear they hoped Saudi engagement would go much further, including deeper into the security sphere. Gulf heavyweights vie for influence in African 'backyard'