China, Djibouti move to deescalate tensions in Horn of Africa

Says Horn of Africa shall never become an arena for geopolitics

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From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

China and Djibouti have taken steps to deescalate the growing tensions in the Horn of Africa.

The development took place when the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti, Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, met in Beijing.

After the meeting, the two foreign ministers issued the Joint Press Communiqué on Maintaining Peace and Stability in the Horn of Africa and the Safety of Shipping Lanes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Djibouti on Jointly Advancing Cooperation under the Global Security Initiative.

Speaking about the meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said Wang held talks with Omar in Beijing.

She also said the two foreign ministers had an in-depth exchange of views on the Horn of Africa situation and the safety of shipping lanes across the Red Sea.

“Both sides agreed that the recent escalation of tensions in the Red Sea has posed a serious threat to the global economy, especially the economic activities of regional countries in the Horn of Africa, and exacerbated security challenges such as piracy and terrorism.

“The two sides did not wish to see tensions in the region spill over into the Red Sea and called on relevant parties to observe the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, abide by the basic norms of international relations, and avoid escalating tensions in the region through dialogue and other diplomatic means.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson further said both sides agreed that the Horn of Africa shall never become an arena for geopolitics, and the Middle East conflict should not spread to the Horn of Africa.

“Both sides underlined the importance of the freedom of navigation across the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and stressed that the right of navigation that commercial ships from all countries are entitled to under international law should be respected,” she added.

Mao stated that both sides believed that easing the Middle East situation is the key to settling security challenges in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, and reaffirmed the support for restoring the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people.

“The ceasefire agreement should be upheld, continued efforts should be made for lasting peace in Gaza, the two-State solution outlined in relevant UN resolutions should be implemented, and a peaceful and lasting settlement of the conflicts should be achieved through diplomatic means,” Mao further said.

She disclosed that Djibouti commended President Xi Jinping’s initiatives and proposals on promoting peace and security in the Middle East and the four principles on the constructive participation of relevant parties in the resolution of African hotspot issues, and expressed support for China playing a constructive role in the Middle East issue.

In a statement issued on its website, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that during the meeting, Wang noted that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Djibouti relations have maintained the momentum of sound and steady development.

The two sides, Wang said, have deepened political mutual trust, and cooperation in various fields has benefited the Djiboutian people.

“An important experience of China-Djibouti relations is equal treatment, mutual trust, and mutual support. China appreciates Djibouti’s adherence to the one-China principle and hopes that Djibouti will continue to give firm support on issues concerning China’s core interests,” Wang said.

Wang also said that China attached importance to the China-Djibouti comprehensive strategic partnership and is ready to further deepen practical cooperation with Djibouti.

“The two sides should give full play to two aspects: first, giving full play to the favourable role of the zero-tariff policy; and second, giving full play to Djibouti’s geographical advantages. China encourages Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Djibouti, and is ready to take the building of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway prosperity belt as an opportunity to help Djibouti leverage its comprehensive infrastructure advantages to support the country in building itself into a regional hub for trade, logistics, and connectivity,” the Chinese Foreign Minister stated.

He further said that China and Djibouti held the same position on major international and regional issues, both champion the concept of multilateralism, adhere to non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and support the Global South countries in seeking strength through unity and accelerating development and revitalisation.

“At present, the conflict in the Middle East continues to spill over and transmit to the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region, and new and old problems have broken out successively, posing new threats to the safety of the shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Since the beginning of this year, President Xi Jinping has put forward four principles on the constructive participation of relevant parties in the resolution of African hotspot issues, and made a series of initiatives on improving the peace and security in the Middle East, demonstrating China’s sense of responsibility as a major country and responding to the aspiration for peace of the people in the region. China is ready to work with Djibouti and other countries to strengthen communication and cooperation, remain committed to de-escalation and fully safeguarding peace and stability in the region,” he also said.

On his part, Omar conveyed Djibouti President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh’s warm greetings to President Xi Jinping, noting that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Djibouti has developed relations with China on the principles of mutual trust and mutual respect for each other’s core interests, and is ready to work with China to further enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Djibouti, Omar also said, remained steadfast in its adherence to the one-China principle, and highly appreciates the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity put forward by President Xi Jinping, as well as his series of initiatives on resolving regional issues, especially such propositions as upholding the principle of African people resolving African issues.

“Djibouti appreciates China’s contribution to promoting lasting world peace, and is glad to be a founding member of the International Organization for Mediation. Djibouti and China share broad consensus on abiding by the purposes of the U.N. Charter and peacefully settling disputes, and Djibouti is ready to strengthen communication and dialogue with China on international issues,” Omar said.

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