By Xinhua
Addis Ababa : China on Tuesday donated 300,000 U.S. dollars to the African Union (AU) to assist its ongoing peacekeeping operations in Somalia.
AU Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare expressed gratitude to China for the support at the donation ceremony held at the AU headquarters.
He said that such assistance from the international community was very welcomed, as it would help the AU deploy the much-needed military force in Somalia, which would contribute to the stabilization of the situation there.
Konare stressed the AU’s determination to support the ongoing internal dialogue in Somalia, saying the AU Commission would take necessary actions to reinforce the outcome of the dialogue and speed up the follow-up process.
Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Lin Lin said the Chinese government has been watching the latest developments in Somalia very closely and was interested in the internal dialogue in the country.
Lin, also Chinese representative to the AU, said the Chinese government intended to continue to support the AU’s efforts to bring peace to Somalia and other areas of conflict in Africa.
He reiterated the need for the international community to work hand in hand and be supportive of the AU’s efforts to restore peace in the conflict areas in Africa.
“China believes that through the AU, peace can be restored in Somalia,” he said.