When it was announced in 2023 that the African Union would become a full member of the G20, I darkly joked on a podcast that the AU’s entry into the body could very well mark the moment the G20 lost its status as one of the most important global coordination forums. Mark my words, I said, soon The Economist will be like “Uhhh, the G20 is OVER – it’s the ...
Category: Horn of Africa
China’s New Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Tours the Region
China's newly-appointed Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (HoA), Hu Changchun, spent the past week visiting officials in Egypt, Eritrea, and Ethiopia as part of an introductory tour. Last month, Hu succeeded Beijing's first special envoy for the region, Xue Bing,
Taiwan Says Somalia Blocks Entry to Island’s Passport Holders
Somalia began blocking entry to Taiwan passport holders on Wednesday, the island said, alleging China had pressured the East African country to curb travel by Taiwanese people to the region. The move comes as Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by China, ...
A Tale of Two Recognized and Unrecognized Republics
By Moustafa Ahmad As Somaliland and Taiwan deepen ties, Mogadishu has concurrently strengthened its relationship with Beijing as both recognized and unrecognized states vie for influence in the Horn of Africa. Just one day after ...
China Convenes Second Horn of Africa Peace Conference in Beijing
The Chinese government held a second peace conference in Beijing on Monday, bringing together ambassadors and other high-level officials from seven countries in the Horn of Africa. This year's gathering was notable because of the presence of Vice Foreign Minister Chen ...
China-Somalia Ties Appear on the Mend After Mogadishu Broke With Beijing on Xinjiang
China's point man for the Horn of Africa, Special Envoy Xue Bing, wrapped up a two-day visit to Mogadishu on Tuesday, during which he met separately with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. The President thanked Xue for ...
China’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Convenes Regional Ambassador Gathering in Beijing
China's Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (HOA), Xue Bing, convened a meeting of HOA diplomatic envoys in Beijing as part of more extensive discussions in preparation for the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit that will take place later this year.
Ethiopia Restates Support for One-China Policy Amid Somaliland Spat
The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry issued a statement reaffirming its support for the One China Policy. This follows China expressing support for Somalia after Ethiopia’s deal with Somaliland to lease 20 kilometers of coastline in exchange for diplomatic recognition. Ethiopia reportedly wants to build a naval base and commercial port ...
Ethiopian Coast Deal Reunite China and Somalia
China expressed support for the government of Somalia amid a controversy about a deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which Mogadishu views as a breakaway province. In early January, the governments of Ethiopia and Somaliland announced they signed a memorandum of understanding that ...
China’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Stops in Eritrea During Regional Tour
Xue Bing, China's special envoy for the Horn of Africa, traveled to Eritrea on Friday for talks with President Isaias Afwerki. The Chinese envoy arrived in Asmara just after visiting Eritrea's rival Ethiopia, but there's no indication from the readout of Xue's ...
China’s Crisis Diplomacy Is in Overdrive – but to What Effect?
By Lukas Fiala 方朗克 When China’s Horn of Africa Envoy, Xue Bing, returned to Ethiopia earlier this week, he did so in the context of China’s increasingly proactive diplomacy across Africa and the Middle East. From the conflict in Gaza to the peace ...
China’s Horn of Africa Envoy Addresses East African Leaders’ Forum in Djibouti
China's low-profile special envoy for the Horn of Africa, Xue Bing, made a rare public appearance on Monday to address the opening session of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Leaders forum in Djibouti. Xue joined special envoys from Italy, the ...
Chinese Horn of Africa Special Envoy Arrives in Sudan For Two Days of Talks
China's point man for diplomacy in the Horn of Africa, Xue Bing, landed in Khartoum on Tuesday for two days of talks. Shortly after he arrived, Xue met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Daffallah Al-Haj Ali. No specific ...