China’s Strategic Approach in the Horn of Africa: Turning Uncertainty into Opportunity

Every country claims to want stability in the Horn of Africa. China’s approach is not chaos-driven but opportunistic. By waiting for moments of distraction, division, or financial strain in the region, Beijing inserts itself strategically. Djibouti’s vulnerability allowed China to offer ‘rescue capital’ in exchange for establishing its first overseas military base. Similarly, in Ethiopia and Somalia, Beijing presents itself as a reliable partner amid disputes, investing in various sectors and cultivating diplomatic ties on both sides without taking a direct stance.