China expands its influence in Horn of Africa, overlooks dispute over Nile dam
The agenda of the first African tour made by the newly appointed Chinese envoy to the Horn of Africa did not tackle the controversial GERD dispute between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.
As China presents itself as a supporter of stability in the Horn of Africa, the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) dispute between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan failed to make it to the agenda of the newly appointed Chinese envoy during his first tour of the region.
Xue Bing, China’s special envoy for the Horn of Africa, landed in Ethiopia as part of an African tour that he started March 12.
On March 14, Xue held talks with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen, during which they discussed relations between the two countries and joint projects.
In February, China appointed Xue to support efforts aimed at overcoming security challenges in the conflict-ridden region, including in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia, as Beijing is seeking to preserve its interests and enhance its geopolitical influence at the expense of the United States, its competitor in the region.
