PREVIEW
Beijing’s diplomatic campaign capitalises on fresh US-Africa tensions in new year
Against the backdrop of rising tensions in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia was the key target for the regional tour by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the week ending 10 January. Growing regional tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea and Somalia (backed by Egypt and Turkey) are likely to have featured in Wang’s meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos, according to regional experts. But the formal readout referred only to Ethiopia’s reiteration of its commitment to the One-China policy.
This was significant because of Ethiopia’s growing ties with Somaliland (which broke away from Somalia in 1991), and its recognition of Taiwan’s territorial sovereignty: a clear red line for Beijing. Ahead of Wang’s arrival in Addis, serial reports were posted on social media that Ethiopia, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates were about to recognise the territorial sovereignty of Somaliland: they were quickly dismissed by Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Abu Dhabi, despite the UAE’s strong backing of Somaliland’s diplomatic efforts.
Wang and Abiy also discussed reinvigorating the Addis-Djibouti railway project and using China’s zero-tariff policy to expand industrial cooperation and trade (contrasted with the United States administration’s imposition of fresh tariffs on African exporters last year.
Wang Yi used his visit to Addis Ababa to meet with African Union Commission chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, former Foreign Minister of Djibouti, with the AU later issuing a statement on 8 January that it ‘reaffirmed its firm commitment to the One-China principle… Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory.’ Much to Beijing’s satisfaction, the AU was also quick to condemn Israel’s recognition of Somaliland’s territorial integrity. The two diplomats also criticised the US’s attack on Venezuela and seizure of President Nicolás Maduro.
The last-minute postponement of Wang’s visit to Somalia was blamed ‘technical and scheduling complications’ by our sources close to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (AC Vol 67 No 1, Somaliland’s bombshell ripples through the Horn). Security clashes with Al Shabaab were emphatically dismissed as reason for the cancellation of Wang’s visit, said the Mogadishu sources, insisting the two would meet later in the year.
Hassan Sheikh’s relations with Washington are sharply deteriorating after the Donald Trump administration’s decision to suspend aid after the Federal Bureau of Investigations launched a probe into alleged fraud worth over US$250 million by Somali migrants in Minnesota, as well as Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland’s independence, Wang Yi had been expected to underscore China’s support for Somalia’s territorial integrity (AC Vol 67 No 1, Trump allies split over Mogadishu as Israel recognises breakaway Somaliland).
The two other countries on Wang’s tour – Tanzania and Lesotho – are also questioning their relations with Washington. The US State Department is reviewing its financial support for Tanzania following the post-election violence that saw state forces kill hundreds of people.
Lesotho saw its textiles industry hammered by the Trump administration’s trade tariffs and decision to suspend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). But there are efforts in the US Congress this month to revive the arrangement.
Last year, China offered duty and quota free to all African countries with whom it has diplomatic relations, part of a broader pitch by Beijing to show that it is a more reliable partner (AC Vol 66 No 19, How Trump’s tariffs help Beijing in Africa).
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