China’s motive in South Sudan

0
370

By. Aljazeera TV Presenter: Nick Clark.

GEESKA AFRIKA ONLINE The Horn of Africa Intelligence News Group _raquo; Sudan_ What China_#8217;s motive in South Sudan_.FLV_000007271

African international relations and the rise of emerging powers in Africa

uhuru_chinaThe Foreign Affairs Minister of The People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi,  has arrived at State House, Nairobi. Kenya’s engagement with China is set to expand with a new focus centered on Industrial development, technology transfer, Agricultural modernization and infrastructure development.  Kenya has made tremendous progress over the last decade and this achievement was built on the understanding that Kenya can develop a solutions. Uhuru called on China to continue its close engagement with Kenya and support kenyan efforts to open the East African region, including finding a solution to the South Sudan tribal conflict.

China may be Africa’s biggest trade partner, but it has generally taken an arms length approach to the continent’s conflicts and domestic difficulties, such as South Sudan.

China is now committing 700 combat troops to South Sudan to help bring peace to the world’s newest nation. And on Monday, it sent Wang Yi, the foreign minister, to help mediate talks between South Sudan’s warring factions.

China has invested billions of dollars in South Sudan, particularly in its oil production.  However, Yi GEESKA AFRIKA ONLINE The Horn of Africa Intelligence News Group _raquo; Sudan_ What China_#8217;s motive in South Sudan_.FLV_000065568rejects accusations that China has its own agenda. Speaking during talks across the border in Sudan’s capital Khartoum, he said: “China’s mediation of South Sudan issues is completely the responsibility and duty of a responsible power, and not because of China’s own interests.”

Fighting began in South Sudan in December 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his sacked deputy, Riek Machar, of attempting a coup.

Oil-producing regions have endured some of the worst violence, with output drastically reduced.

So can China help bring peace to South Sudan? Can it work with both sides? And are there underlying motives for China’s involvement?
The duty of a responsible world power or protecting own self-interests?

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here