Beijing:China has issued a warning about the potential spread of the Middle East conflict into the Horn of Africa, emphasizing that the northeastern African region should remain free from geopolitical disputes.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, this standpoint was reached during a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Djibouti's Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdoulkader Houssein Omar in Beijing. The officials discussed the situation in the Horn of Africa and the safety of the Red Sea shipping lanes.

The recent rise in tensions in the Red Sea was noted to severely threaten the global economy, particularly affecting regional countries in the Horn of Africa, and exacerbating security challenges such as piracy and terrorism. Both parties stressed the importance of adhering to the UN Charter and avoiding escalation of tensions through diplomatic dialogues.

Furthermore, both sides reaffirmed that the Horn of Africa should not become a geopolitical battleground and that the Middle East conflict should not extend to this region. They also highlighted the significance of maintaining freedom of navigation across the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, underlining the respect for international maritime laws.

The officials agreed that resolving the Middle East crisis is crucial for addressing security challenges in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. They reiterated their support for the Palestinian people's legitimate national rights and stressed the importance of upholding the Gaza ceasefire agreement to achieve lasting peace in the region, advocating for a two-state solution as per UN resolutions.