China set to announce new envoy to Somalia

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday while on a vist to Kenya that China would name a special envoy for the Horn of Africa. Wang said conflicts in the Horn of Africa hamper the region’s “tremendous potential for development.”

Later in the day, the US said its own envoy to the region would soon be replaced.
Speaking in Mombasa through an interpreter, Wang said China’s new envoy will work “to share political consensus and to coordinate actions.” He did not provide further details on the envoy’s new role. However, he did say China hoped to help Eritrea develop its Red Sea coastline.

Kenya has been involved in diplomatic efforts to bring about an end to the conflict between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
The conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. China remains opposed to sanctions.
Previously on his tour of East Africa, Wang visited Eritrea on the northern border of the Tigray region. Eritrea is aligned with the Ethiopian government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in the conflict.

The region’s other major war is in Somalia, where Islamist Al-shabaab are battling a Western-backed government.
Wang urged nations in the region to “resolve various ethnic, religious and regional differences in an African way.”
Six agreements were signed while Yang was in Kenya, including one trade agreement that will see avocados from Kenya shipped to China. Kenya will also receive 10 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from China.
Traditionally, China has focused more on business and trade in Africa over politics and diplomacy.