RESEARCH AREAS

Our Centres

Six dedicated centres shaping analysis and policy across the Horn of Africa

Defense & Security

Governance, Statecraft & Conflict Management

Transnational Crimes & Strategic Threats

Diplomacy & Foreign Relations

Terrorism, Violent Extremism & Radicalization

Climate Change, Migration & Development

MEDIA

HORN Media

Insights, stories, and analysis from across the region.

HORN in Media

Press coverage

Video Gallery

Recordings

Blogs

Research commentary

Photo Gallery

Events & fieldwork

Podcasts

Analyst conversations

Print

Bulletin print

FEATURED

HORN Services

Driving Insight Through Expert Analysis and Advisory, Advisory, and Capacity Solutions

LATEST BULLETIN

PUBLICATIONS

Research That Informs Policy and Practice

GREAT LAKES REGION

GREATER HORN OF AFRICA

REGIONAL FOCUS

Somalia & Somaliland
Monitor

Evidence-driven analysis shaping policy and security across 13 countries.

LATEST BULLETIN

INFORM Initiative

Combating disinformation in fragile states.

ENROL

HORN Academy 2026

Executive training for policymakers.

2026 EVENTS

BY TYPE

REGISTER

Security Dialogue 2026

12 March 2026 · Nairobi, Kenya.

RECENT

ARCHIVE

ARCHIVE

Join the Conversation

Engage with our events, dialogues, and discussions.

Founded in 2017 · Nairobi

About HORN

A leading think tank driving research, policy, and regional dialogue.

ENGAGE

Support Research

Help Sustain HORN's Mission

Partner or donate to keep HORN independent.

Menu

The Decline of America Soft Power in Africa:A Strategic Opportunity for the European Union(EU) and Germany

Photo Credits: Special-Edition-No.-10
Content by HORN Institute
Published February 27, 2026

The world is changed. The withdrawal and self-isolation of the United States of America (U.S.) has left a soft power gab
globally and particularly in Africa. The European Union (EU) is however sticking out as one of the alternative partners of choice for Africa, hence US withdrawal might be an opportunity for EU to engage more assertively in Africa. For that, EU has to examine the role it wants to play in the future and adeptly combine its economic and political power as it engages the world and particularly, Africa. In the short-term, Germany will have to take a leadership role by filling the soft power gap, which can be achieved by recalibrating its domestic narrative and approach to Africa. German foreign actions have to mirror the rising self-confidence of the African partners with the objectives to gain the support and trust of the African public, to join efforts with Africa in the international system and to build a long and stable partnership beneficial for both Europe and Africa.

The HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies is a non-profit, applied research and policy think-do tank focusing on research and providing evidence-based analysis and strategic interventions to address political, security, economic, and environmental challenges affecting the greater Horn of Africa region.

© 2026 by The HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies. All rights reserved.

Recent Publications

    Towards Effective Campaign for African Union Commission Chair: A Critical Examination of Kenya’s Bid 

    Executive SummaryThe African Union (AU) represents a body of collated efforts that bargain for collective continental interests. The recentopening for the African Union Commission Chairperson seat has fetched amplified political action across Africa, aspolitical figures and AU member states present their bids. Kenya’s opposition leader, a pan-Africanist and a decoratedflame of freedom, Mr. Raila Odinga, …

    Annual Report, 2017

    2.0 THE HORN INSTITUTE’S ACCOMPLISHMENTSIN 2017a) A New Start, a Growing Work Force Hassan Khannenje (PhD) is the Institute’s director since July 2017. A Fulbright scholar and an adjunct professor at Wayne State University (USA), Dr. Khannenje brings expertise in conflict resolution, public policy, security, diplomacy, and international relations. In addition to providing leadership, he …