“I am ready to offer mediation for the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the will of the countries of this region,” said China’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Xu Ping at the opening of the Horn of China Conference on Security, Governance and Development in Addis Ababa.

He pointed out that “history has taught us that the Horn of Africa should not become the backyard of any country”, noting that “many suffered under the hegemony of colonialism and that the confrontations of the Cold War brought the consequences of war to the continent.” He urged “avoid intervention into the internal affairs of other countries and refrain from the abuse of unilateral sanctions.”

Xu stressed that he is “convinced” that the Horn of Africa is able to “resolve its differences through dialogue and consultation, despite the difficulty of understanding some of the differences, since they date back to the colonial era,” and also expressed China’s willingness to support various projects in the field food security, health, transport and promotion, trade or training.

The conference was attended by Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda, represented by a Minister or Ambassador. Eritrea was invited to the conference but did not attend.

The appointment of Xu Ping in February last year demonstrated Beijing’s determination to engage more diplomatically with the Horn of Africa, which has seen several conflicts in particular in Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan.