In the Horn of Africa, China seeks to position itself as a mediator

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a construction site at the port of Mombasa, January 6, 2022. AFP - -

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Beijing is increasing visits to the Horn of Africa.

Its special correspondent for the region, Xue Bing, is touring there at the moment.

Its role, according to Beijing, is to encourage dialogue in the face of the conflicts facing the region.

To do this, Xue Bing has multiplied the meetings.

In Kenya, this Monday, March 21, he notably met the Minister of Foreign Affairs and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

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With our correspondent in Nairobi,

Albane Thirouard

In a statement on Monday, Kenya hailed " 

China's efforts to contribute to peace and development in the region

 ". 

During these visits, the Chinese emissary has increased meetings with the authorities of each country.

He affirmed Beijing's intention to organize a peace conference in the Horn of Africa.

A format that would be a space for discussion where the countries of the region could come and

settle their differences

.

Beijing is thus positioning itself as a mediator in the face of the deterioration of the security situation in the Horn.

Because the Chinese leaders are worried about the stability of the region.

The country first has economic interests to protect, having invested in major infrastructure projects.

Like the

railway line connecting Mombasa to Nairobi

.

Or the one connecting Addis Ababa to Djibouti.

Increase diplomatic influence

The stakes are also geostrategic.

The region notably provides access to the Red Sea.

A sign of this importance, China also opened a military base in Djibouti in 2017.

Finally, Hassan Khannenje, director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Kenya, also sees, through this role of mediator, a way for Beijing to increase its diplomatic influence in the Horn of Africa.

Before arriving in Kenya, the Chinese envoy visited Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia.

He is now set to continue his tour of the region with visits to Uganda and South Sudan.

►Also read: China's projects in the Horn of Africa raise questions

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