By Allawi Ssemanda

China’s appointment of a Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (HoA) is a positive development and a sign of how Beijing considers Sino-Africa relations.

The appointment of Xue Bing, a fine diplomat, comes at a time when the HoA is facing different challenges which, if confronted with a genuine ally like China, will certainly produce desired results.

While the appointment of an envoy for this specific region by a developed country, especially from the West, China’s appointment of a Special Envoy for the region is unique and timely, with great potential for mutually benefiting the two sides as the world strives to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

First of all, China-Africa cooperation is a textbook example of a relationship of “equal partners” with mutual respect and mutual benefits, which is a direct opposite of the “big brother” relationship the West normally has with African countries. China engages, listens and with deep consultations and considerations from concerned parties. Indeed, since his appointment, ambassador Xuen has visited and met different African leaders from the Horn of Africa among others from Eritrean, Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia.

The appointment of ambassador Xuen comes at a time when the HoA and Africa, in general, is faced with challenges and pressure resulting from global politics where African countries are condemned by some western capitals when African countries choose to be neutral or avoid taking sides with the West as we have seen many western pundits asking why Africa is not “condemning” Russia over Ukraine crisis. This does not necessarily mean that Africa is right to remain silent on global issues but rather that it is unacceptable to question African countries’ decisions yet they (the West) never consult Africa when making their decisions including those that directly affect the continent.

With a special envoy for this region, this will help African countries in the HoA and their Chinese counterparts address the outlined three major priorities suggested by Chinese officials namely; the HoA strengthening intra-regional dialogue to overcome security challenges; acceleration of regional revitalization to overcome development challenges; and exploring effective ways to overcome governance challenges.

With a special envoy for the region and in coordination with African capitals, ambassador Xuen is likely to fast track the much-needed China proposed Outlook on Peace and Development in the region aimed at supporting regional countries in achieving lasting peace and security and embracing development and prosperity and in the long run build a community of shared future for mankind and hence, creating a ground for sustainable social-economic development.

During his most recent visit to Kenya, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi observed that the HoA, albeit with a unique strategic location and great development potential, and has in recent years experienced flare-ups of hot issues and eruptions of conflicts and confrontations, which run counter to the interests of the people in the region and have to be stopped. With this appointment, it is hoped that the region will work with their Chinese counterparts to address any emerging issues in a timely manner.

The HoA has already seen tangible results thanks to China-Africa cooperation. For example, a recent report by the Africa Policy Institute observed that since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was initiated proposed in 2013, China has supported modern infrastructure projects such as railways, roads, ports, dams, industries, and digital connectivity, injecting vitality in the region, employing thousands of people and sparking economic growth.

The report further projects a clear future for African countries. Citing Kenya as an example, the report highlights the multiplier effects of Kenya’s 670-kilometer modern Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) connecting the port of Mombasa and the inland port of Naivasha constructed under BRI project. Ethiopia-Djibouti’s standard gauge railway which connects landlocked Ethiopia to Djibouti port has also greatly improved transport in the Horn of Africa. The Chinese-built 752.7-km line recorded about 86.13 million U.S. dollars in revenue in 2021, which is up 37.5% compared to 2020 revenue collections.

The China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), which started implementing various life-changing programs in Ethiopia in 2015 targeting vulnerable people among others refugees and children showed China's growing engagement in fighting poverty HoA. By end of 2020, CFPA had benefited over 130,000 Ethiopians.

All in all, China’s appointment of a special envoy for the Horn of Africa will not only help to strengthen Sino-Africa relations but will also directly contribute in improving social-economic conditions of people in the HoA as Beijing continue to revolutionize global politics and international relations by supporting and building a community of a shared future for mankind.

The writer is the executive director of Development Watch Centre, a foreign policy think tank