BEIJING, Jun 30 – China will re-open its embassy in strife-torn Somalia after a 23-year absence, it said Monday, as Beijing extends its diplomatic and resources push into Africa.
Beijing and Mogadishu established diplomatic ties in 1960, but China withdrew its diplomatic personnel and shut down its mission as the East African country descended into civil war in 1991.
The two maintained diplomatic relations despite the lack of a physical embassy.
Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab fled fixed positions in Mogadishu three years ago, and have since lost most large towns to a 22,000-strong UN-backed African Union force, fighting alongside government soldiers.
The country has established its first government and parliament in 20 years, and Beijing will send a “re-opening group” on Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular briefing…
South Africa Today Africa – East Africa Somalia News
