China’s commitment to resolve conflict in the Horn of Africa region

In yet another sign of China’s growing assertiveness in global affairs, Beijing has expressed readiness to intervene and aid the process to find a lasting solution to the conflict in the Horn of Africa region.

Speaking during his visit of Africa in the New Year, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that Beijing stands ready to roll out a programme dubbed “Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa” aimed at supporting countries in the region to address security, development and governance challenges.

Wang Yi indicated that China is committed to this process appreciating  that the Horn of Africa enjoys a unique strategic position and great development potential.

“In recent years, hotspot issues have intensified and sometimes erupted into conflicts and confrontations, which are totally against the interests of people of the countries in the Horn of Africa and should not continue any longer,” he said during a joint press conference with Kenyan counterpart Raychelle Omamo

“China is willing to appoint a Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide necessary support for this process” – WANG YI

The Chinese top diplomat however stressed the need for countries in the region to first embrace dialogue, bring an end to geographical competition and firmly pursue the path of unity.

He said the affected nations, namely; Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan, Eritrea should take the region’s destiny into their own hands through consultation.

“China suggests that regional countries hold a conference on the peace in the Horn of Africa to conduct in-depth discussions on this issue, reach political consensus and coordinate common actions.” said Wang

To fast-track this process, he disclosed that China is willing to appoint a Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide necessary support for this process.

At the same time, Wang issued a commitment to the effect that China will embark on a process to accelerate regional revitalization aimed at overcoming development challenges in the region. To set this in motion, he indicated that the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway need to be expanded into the neighboring countries ‘at an opportune moment.’

Meanwhile, he said, development of the Red Sea coast and East Africa coast should be accelerated, so as to form a development framework to speed up the construction of industrial belt and economic belt, and help create more employment opportunities. The horn countries, according to Wang, need to be empowered so as to strengthen their capacity to initiate own development based on their local conditions.

Most importantly, Wang said the affected countries ought to explore effective approaches to overcome governance challenges.

“China supports regional countries in exploring development paths suited to their own national conditions and in strengthening exchanges in governance and administration of state affairs to share useful experience and overcome governance bottlenecks.”

“Various ethnic, religious and regional disputes should be properly handled in an African way, so as to create a united, stable and harmonious development environment in the Horn of Africa.” reiterated the Chinese FM

As an active and permanent member of the UN Security Council, Wang Yi emphasized that China – a sincere partner of Africa, will seek greater synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Africa’s development strategies to bolster efforts to promote peace and development in the Horn of Africa.

He said China will initiate action through the “nine programs” to be implemented in the next three years through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), in order to improve the security and economic situation in the five affected countries.

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