The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) published in November 2016 a study titled "Qatar's Diplomatic Incursions into the Horn of Africa" by Berouk Mesfin, senior researcher at ISS.
The author concluded that Qatar punches above its weight diplomatically by acting as a mediator in conflicts in the Horn of Africa. The results have been mixed, with negotiations hampered by the centralization of foreign policy in the person of Qatar's emir. However, Qatar's successes have been impressive.