China defended the dialogue and the leading role of African countries in resolving the conflict in Ethiopia, at a time when violence in the north of the country is intensifying.
© Reuters
19/10/2026
by
Lusa
A China today advocated dialogue, respect for sovereignty and the leading role of African countries in resolving conflicts on the continent, at a time when violence in northern Ethiopia is intensifying.
The position was expressed by the spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, during a press conference, when questioned about the relationship between the situation in northern Ethiopia and the four principles recently presented by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The guidelines were presented last week during a meeting between Xi and the President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé.
Mao stated that these principles have a “important practical relevance” to resolving African conflicts, including the current situation in the Horn of Africa.
The spokesman argued that African countries should play a central role in resolving their own conflicts and that the parties involved should respect the principles of the United Nations Charter, in particular the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the States.
“ Wars and unilateral sanctions cannot really resolve differences between countries,” Mao said, calling for an end to hostilities through mutual respect, dialogue and the search for consensus.
She also stressed the importance of reconciling immediate security needs with long-term development planning without announcing concrete mediation measures by Beijing.
The statements arise after the Ethiopian army and allied militias have made significant progress against the rebels of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Tigré (FPLT), who announced on September 23 a “defensive war” after months of military escalation.
The federal forces recovered Mekelle, capital of the Tigré region, on October 3, while the Government of Addis Ababa established last Friday a provisional administration to prepare for elections within six months.
China maintains important economic and strategic interests in the Horn of Africa, where in 2017 it inaugurated its first military base abroad, located in Djibouti.
The country, neighbouring Ethiopia and Eritrea, occupies a strategic position near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the main access routes to the Red Sea.