China’s Envoys Meet Ethiopian and Eritrean Leaders Separately as Border Tensions Persist
Two Chinese envoys held separate talks on Nov. 4 and 5 with Ethiopia’s foreign minister in Addis Ababa and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in Asmara amid tensions between the neighboring countries.
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos received Liu Xianfa at his office on Nov. 4. The ministry identified Liu as China’s Special Envoy for African Affairs.
The two sides exchanged views on peace and security in Africa, the ministry said. Gedion briefed Liu on the current peace and security situation in the Horn of Africa. According to the ministry, Liu “reaffirmed his country’s commitment to playing a constructive role in promoting peace and security in Africa.”
The ministry’s own Week in the Horn digest for Nov. 6 confirmed the meeting and said Liu reaffirmed China’s constructive role.
The same digest said Gedion had talked with Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Chen Hai on Nov. 3 about deepening the two countries’ partnership.
Critical Threats separately noted that Chen Hai met Ethiopian Defense Minister Mohammed Idris on Nov. 3 before the envoy visits. The review also cited Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun’s Oct. 27 statement that special envoys would travel to regional countries to promote dialogue and de-escalation.
In Asmara on Nov. 5, Shabait, the Eritrean Ministry of Information site, said President Isaias Afwerki met Hu Changchun at the Denden Guest House in the early evening. Shabait identified Hu as China’s Special Envoy for Horn of Africa Affairs.
The talks centered on bilateral ties and current regional developments, Shabait said. Hu reiterated China’s position on “the imperative of respecting Eritrea’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” according to Shabait. Hu and Liu are different officials conducting separate visits. Neither side announced a joint Ethiopian-Eritrean session or a mediated settlement.
The Chinese visits come amid continued mutual accusations and northern military movement near the Eritrea border. Critical Threats said Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadera Abera told a European Union delegation on Nov. 5 that Eritrea was making “continued” incursions and supporting armed groups inside Ethiopia. Those allegations have not been independently verified.
Eritrea’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Sophia Tesfamariam (@AmbStesfamariam), stated conditions for engagement with Ethiopia’s leadership after meeting UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Guang Cong on Nov. 4. She called for a prior, public, unequivocal and unconditional renunciation of coercion, threats and the use of force. She also called for clear recognition of Eritrea’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
ACLED separately reported ENDF troop movements from Adwa toward Rama on Nov. 5 and 6.
Chinese officials have described the visits as promoting dialogue and de-escalation. Neither official readout announced a joint meeting, mediation framework or ceasefire plan.
Sources