The Geopolitics of Sovereign Indebtedness and Critical Infrastructure Access: Evaluating Port Concession Agreements in Fragile East African Economies

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 12, No. 12, December 2021 | pp. 100–108

DOI: 10.46882/2021/GJPCS/121201

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: The Geopolitics of Sovereign Indebtedness and Critical Infrastructure Access: Evaluating Port Concession Agreements in Fragile East African Economies

Authors: Amanuel T. Mengistu¹, Sibusiso K. Khumalo²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Institute for Peace and Security Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; ²Department of Public Law, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract:
This study investigates the structural connections linking international sovereign credit lines, maritime transport concession agreements, and the reduction of territorial sovereignty within fragile post-conflict economies along the Horn of Africa. Utilizing a political economy framework mixed with maritime cargo tracking registries and financial auditing ledger reviews from 2019 to 2021, we examine the expansion of foreign economic influence. The empirical field evidence demonstrates that the strategic acquisition of state debt assets by external state-backed entities has fragmented local municipal governance structures and lowered long-term human security indicators. Quantitative metrics establish that states characterized by high sovereign debt concentration experience a 45% reduction in maritime transport hub autonomy and a marked increase in localized civil demonstrations regarding public land access. The research highlights the systematic failure of regional governance bodies to monitor commercial compliance metrics or offer alternative developmental credit channels. We conclude that sustainable regional stabilization requires establishing transparent, multilateral debt-restructuring panels that prioritize local ecological preservation and community asset protections over structural foreclosure actions.

Keywords: Sovereign Indebtedness; Infrastructure Subversion; Horn of Africa; Port Concessions; Political Economy; Sovereign Autonomy

Manuscript Timeline: Received: August 05, 2020; Revised: October 15, 2020; Accepted: December 02, 2020; Published: December 15, 2021

Citation: Mengistu, A. T., & Khumalo, S. K. (2021). The Geopolitics of Sovereign Indebtedness and Critical Infrastructure Access: Evaluating Port Concession Agreements in Fragile East African Economies. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 12(12), 100–108. DOI: 10.46882/2021/GJPCS/121201

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