Tag: China

Time for US Military Drills in Somaliland for the Horn of Africa

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Time for US Military Drills in Somaliland for the Horn of Africa

The Pentagon’s calendar is replete with regular military exercises. Every two years, for example, thousands of American military personnel from almost every service branch descend on Egypt for Bright Star. What began in 1980 with Egyptian, American, and a few Sudanese troops rubbing elbows, today includes 20 other countries from across the Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean, and Africa. Continue reading “Time for US Military Drills in Somaliland for the Horn of Africa” →

The Dark Side of Ethiopia’s Hawassa Industrial Park

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In 2016, then-Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn inaugurated the $250 million, 300-hectare Hawassa Industrial Park that the government hoped to transform and expand the country’s economy. It was a bold social and economic experiment with big ambitions: to make Ethiopia the new link in the global supply chain for Western apparel. Continue reading “The Dark Side of Ethiopia’s Hawassa Industrial Park” →

The Ever-widening Fishing Net of China

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The Ever-widening Fishing Net of China

Driven by the depletion of fish populations in its own national waters and its role as a key processing and exporting state, the Government of the People’s Republic of China has supported the rapid expansion of the scale and technological capacity of its distant-water fishing fleet, i.e. vessels operating beyond its exclusive economic zone. Continue reading “The Ever-widening Fishing Net of China” →

Taiwan Card Taken lightly in Somaliland

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Taiwan Card Taken lightly in Somaliland

The quest for Somaliland’s sovereignty endorsement and the nation’s economic empowerment are two intertwined initiatives that must not be abandoned one for the other.  Continue reading “Taiwan Card Taken lightly in Somaliland” →

Taiwan vs. China – The Rocky Road to Democracy

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Taiwan vs. China - The Rocky Road to Democracy

For China, it’s a renegade province that must be brought into line. The Taiwanese, on the other hand, see themselves as a legitimate, independent, democratic state. Keep on reading

Congressional Staff Confirmed Somaliland’s Value to U.S

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Congressional Staff Confirmed Somaliland’s Value to U.S

As China floods Africa with billions of dollars in development aid, massive infrastructure investment and even talk of a new military base, a tiny East African “country” is offering the U.S. a deal that it says could counter China’s advance. Continue reading “Congressional Staff Confirmed Somaliland’s Value to U.S” →

How China, Turkey & Russia Influence the Media in Africa

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How China, Turkey & Russia Influence the Media in Africa

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) is an independent, non-profit German political foundation that aims to strengthen democratic forces around the world. KAS runs media programs in Africa, Asia and South East Europe. KAS Media Africa believes that a free and independent media is crucial for democracy. As such, it is committed to the development and maintenance of a diverse media landscape on the continent, the monitoring role of journalism, as well as ethically based political communication. Continue reading “How China, Turkey & Russia Influence the Media in Africa” →

Djibouti Being Crowned as One More Nation Blinded by Chinese Cash

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Djibouti Being Crowned as One More Nation Blinded by Chinese Cash

Djibouti’s future diversification of its economy through foreign investment continues to be threatened as companies show low confidence in the government’s ability to provide a low-risk business environment. Continue reading “Djibouti Being Crowned as One More Nation Blinded by Chinese Cash” →

African Agency & Chinese Power: The Case of Djibouti

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African Agency & Chinese Power: The Case of Djibouti

It seems unlikely that Djibouti – smaller than Belgium and with fewer than 1 million inhabitants – can expect to enjoy any agency vis-à-vis the Chinese behemoth.

Djibouti’s agency depends upon many factors, including its strategic geographical location; the great powers’ concern over the security of sea lanes of communications and, as a result, piracy in the Gulf of Aden; China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and interest in establishing a naval base there; and reactions to these Chinese decisions by Djibouti’s other partners. In other words, the great powers’ interest in and competition over Djibouti have widened this country’s room for maneuver. Continue reading “African Agency & Chinese Power: The Case of Djibouti” →

Somaliland: The Burial Site for China’s Bullying

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Somaliland: The Burial Site for China's Bullying

The rising reputation of the Somaliland Republic as a functioning and viable state is beyond the bullying, the persuasion, and the pressure of China’s Dollar Diplomacy as the supreme decision makers and the ultimate driving force behind that success, in its entirety, rests with the Somaliland people, unlike many countries in Africa – a concept that is foreign to Beijing. Continue reading “Somaliland: The Burial Site for China’s Bullying” →