Analyzing the three relationships between China and Ethiopia, the USA and Somaliland, and Taiwan and Somaliland, it is evident that the countries involved have gained different benefits. Before we go deep first let us look briefly at the Sort of Relationships in each
If first look China-Ethiopia relations have resulted in significant benefits for Ethiopia, especially in infrastructure development. China has invested heavily in Ethiopia’s transportation, energy, urban development, water supply mechanisms, sugar manufacturing, and digital economy development projects. Ethiopia has also learned from China’s economic development experience. However, concerns have been raised about China’s lending practices and the long-term implications of the debt incurred by Ethiopia.
And also Somaliland-USA relations are limited due to the lack of official diplomatic relations between the two entities. The United States has provided limited assistance to Somaliland over the years through various humanitarian aid programs and development projects, such as supporting efforts to combat terrorism and piracy in the region and providing training and equipment to the Somaliland Coast Guard. Any benefits gained by Somaliland from the United States would need to be viewed in the context of a broader network of international aid and support.
And finely the Somaliland-Taiwan relations have recently been strengthened, with both countries opening representative offices in each other’s capitals. The two countries share similarities, including their status as unrecognized nations facing diplomatic isolation from much of the international community. The potential benefits of this relationship include economic development, diplomacy, security, and healthcare. However, the relationship could face challenges due to opposition from other countries or geopolitical factors.
Analysis of the three relations:
1. China-Ethiopia: Ethiopia has gained significant benefits from its strategic cooperation with China, particularly in terms of infrastructure development. China has invested heavily in Ethiopia’s transportation, energy, urban development, water supply mechanisms, sugar manufacturing, and digital economy development projects. The Addis Ababa to Djibouti Railway is one of the most significant projects implemented by China in Ethiopia. The most important achievement agreed upon between Ethiopia and China is zero tariff treatment, which is expected to advance China-Ethiopia cooperation. Ethiopia has also learned from China’s economic development experience, which has contributed to Ethiopia’s ongoing economic reforms.
In this relationship, both parties stand to benefit. Ethiopia gains much-needed investment in infrastructure development, while China gains access to Ethiopia’s markets and natural resources. However, it’s important to note that there have been concerns about China’s lending practices and the long-term implications of the debt incurred by Ethiopia to finance these projects.
2. Somaliland-USA: As there have been no official diplomatic or economic agreements between Somaliland and the United States, any benefits gained by Somaliland from the United States would likely be limited. The United States has provided limited assistance to Somaliland over the years through various humanitarian aid programs and development projects, such as supporting efforts to combat terrorism and piracy in the region and providing training and equipment to the Somaliland Coast Guard.
Without official diplomatic relations, it’s unlikely that there will be significant benefits gained by Somaliland from the United States in the near future. However, it’s worth noting that any assistance provided by the United States to Somaliland would need to be viewed in the context of a broader network of international aid and support.
3. Somaliland-Taiwan: Somaliland and Taiwan have recently strengthened their diplomatic ties, with both countries opening representative offices in each other’s capitals. The two countries share a number of similarities, including their status as unrecognized nations that face diplomatic isolation from much of the international community.
The potential benefits of this relationship are numerous. Taiwan’s strong economy and expertise in technology and agriculture could be leveraged to support economic development projects in Somaliland. Additionally, the two countries could cooperate on diplomacy, security, and healthcare initiatives. However, the relationship is still relatively new, and it’s unclear how much support and recognition Taiwan can provide to Somaliland without facing opposition from other countries or geopolitical challenges.
Overall, it’s important to note that each of these relationships involves different levels of benefits and challenges for the countries involved. While some relationships may offer more immediate benefits than others, the long-term implications and potential challenges must be carefully considered.
There may be some potential challenges, constraints, and risks associated with each of the three scenarios:
1. in this scenario between Ethiopia and China:
•Debt: Some experts have raised concerns about Ethiopia’s growing debt burden to China, which may limit its ability to invest in other areas of its economy or become financially dependent on China.
•Labor rights: There have been reports of poor working conditions and labor rights violations on Chinese-funded projects in Ethiopia, which may lead to the exploitation of Ethiopian workers and human rights concerns.
•Dependency: Ethiopia’s reliance on China for infrastructure development may make it vulnerable to changes in China’s foreign policy or economic priorities, potentially affecting the country’s long-term economic growth.
2. in this scenario between the United States and Somaliland:
•Limited support: The lack of official diplomatic relations between Somaliland and the US may limit the amount and types of support that can be provided, potentially reducing the impact of any aid programs or development projects.
•Political instability: Somaliland has experienced political instability and violence in the past, which may hinder the effectiveness of any US-supported efforts to promote stability or security in the region.
•Geopolitical risks: The complex political dynamics in the Horn of Africa, including competition between regional powers and the threat of terrorism, may increase the risk of conflict or instability that could undermine US efforts to support Somaliland.
3. in this scenario between Taiwan and Somaliland:
•International isolation: Both Somaliland and Taiwan face diplomatic isolation from much of the international community, which may limit their ability to access economic or political resources and increase their vulnerability to external threats.
•Geopolitical risks: The relationship between Somaliland and Taiwan may be viewed as a threat by other regional powers or trigger a backlash from countries that do not recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty.
•Economic constraints: While Taiwan has a strong economy, its size and resources may limit the scale and scope of potential economic development projects in Somaliland. Additionally, economic cooperation may be hampered by the lack of direct air or sea links between the two countries.
However, the relationship is still relatively new, and it’s unclear how much support and recognition Taiwan can provide to Somaliland without facing opposition from other countries or geopolitical challenges. Overall, it’s important to note that each of these relationships involves different levels of benefits and challenges for the countries involved. While some relationships may offer more immediate benefits than others, the long-term implications and potential challenges must be carefully considered.
In conclusion, the three relationships have resulted in different benefits for the countries involved. While some relationships have resulted in significant investment in infrastructure and economic development, others are limited due to the lack of official diplomatic relations. Nonetheless, it is essential to note that the relationships’ full extent of potential benefits remains to be seen, and geopolitical factors could impact the relationships’ success.
Gulaid Yusuf Idaan
@Guiled2
idaan54@gmail.com
Senior lecturer, Researcher, and Youth Activist in the Horn of Africa
