Topic:
Country: People’s Republic of China
Delegate Name: Chloe Falkenstern
Understanding the history of the Federal Republic of Somalia is crucial to understanding where it stands in the modern world. While under colonial rule, the division of the territory into five separate parts created a division between people. Military regimes in the region allowed the Europeans to be more brutal towards natives and continued a cycle of poverty and decline in the territory. After declaring separation from the colonization of British and Italian authority, the region of Somalia was met with political division, necessary humanitarian aid, and a lack of stability for their recently developed government. In the 1990s, the fall of the Siad Barre leadership created a division between the people after the War of Ogaden against Ethiopia. A civil war ensued, allowing outside forces to intervene, one being al-Shabaab. As a fundamental Islamic state, the group pledged allegiance to al-Qa’ida to completely overthrow the current Somali government.
The People’s Republic of China is one of the Somali state’s closest allies, which supports the Somali government in its endeavors to unite itself with the uncontrollable Somaliland. Somalia was also the first East African country to recognize China as a diplomatic partner. In 1971, China supported Somalia’s efforts to expel many foreign countries from their borders and developed the projects incomparably started by these countries. Chinese economic aid was some of the highest given to the region, and many projects developed in the Somali-Chinese partnership created “The Somali North-South Road”. This project created the opportunity for development in Somalia, including the creation of roads, hospitals, and factories. In the present, Somalia and China have maintained strong relations despite instability in the region, and Chinese support for the government has only increased.
On September 6, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the Somali president to China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Topics discussed at the forum included the current state of Somalia and the integration of Somaliland as a core part of the Federal Republic of Somalia. China takes a strong position of support of the Somali state, as it suffers the same issue of lack of unity through Chinese territories. China has pledged its continued alliance with the Somali people through conferences, diplomatic relations, and an approach to the African region. China condemns the al-Shabaab, as it does not recognize the unilateral declaration provided for the establishment of Somaliland, and the undermining the group creates towards the current Somali government is an unforgivable act. Ongoing political turmoil and internal conflict between tribes has caused famine and created a humanitarian crisis that must be resolved. This discourse can be directly attributed to both the al-Shabaab and the history of the country, and as such the al-Shabaab are seen as an unnecessary force in Somalia
As a result, China proposes a solution where three key points are met. First, Somalia is allowed their rightful territory of Somaliland. As a self declared territory, Somaliland disrupts the balance of central government for the Somalis, and creates unnecessary anxiety through the populous with terrorist activities and pirating. Second, Somalia should be able to govern the tribes of their country. While division is a large issue, Somalia must close the gap and provide solutions for a united peoples to help those who may need it. Third, Somalia should be provided with relief to help prevent humanitarian crisis and start a government run solely by those in elected positions.
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