Borkena
Toronto – Ambassador Hu Changchun, China’s Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, is in Ethiopia.
In a news release published on social media, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia said that he met with Gedion Timotheos, the Minister.
Details of why the Special Envoy’s working trip to Ethiopia is rather left blurry.
Yet, the ministry has disclosed that there was conversation about strengthening further the 55 years old diplomatic relation between the two countries.
Ethiopia sees its relation with China, one of the major sources of financial sources to fund infrastructure projects, as “important.”
The Minister described it as”multifaceted.”
As well, the special envoy is reportedly briefed on “Ethiopia’s ongoing development efforts, regional developments, and the country’s broader aspirations for regional economic integration and shared growth.”
The discussion between the two diplomats has reiterated to collaborate on mutual “interest at the bilateral and multilateral levels.”
Ambassador Hu Changchun has reportedly highlighted “strong record of high-level exchanges,” and “reaffirmed China’s commitment to further strengthening both bilateral and multilateral cooperation.”
There is no indication if regional security agenda was discussed during the meeting. Tension between Ethiopia and Eritrea has been heightened over the past few months due to the ruling party’s extensive rhetoric over the “inevitability” of restoring “Ethiopia’s access to the Red Sea.”
In his latest appearance at the Ethiopian parliament, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed revealed that China was one of the countries he approached for mediation with Eritrea to secure sea access. But China has not remarked about it so far.
However, there have been rumors circulating on social media that China is working on mediating Eritrea and Ethiopia.
With well over five billion dollars investment in manufacturing, textile and infrastructure sectors – among others – China is believed to be one of the influential countries over Ethiopia.
Ethiopia has embarked on a construction of what is believed to be the largest airport in the continent which is said to cost over $10 billion and it seems to be China that is financing it.
The United States National Security Policy released in late November has painted an image that it is abandoning the policy of spreading “liberal ideology” and rather developing interest in trade and investment – particularly in the energy sector. However, it has been noticeable that the United States had a huge influence in many of the reform measures Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government has been implementing.
General Dagvin R. M. Anderson , Commander of the U.S. Africa Command, recently visited the country and met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and defense chief.
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