China arms Somalia amid Horn of Africa rivalry

China is providing military support to Somalia, officially framed as counterterrorism assistance against al-Shabaab. Analysts argue the deeper strategic driver is to counter Taiwan-aligned Somaliland and reinforce Somalia's territorial claims under a "One China, One Somalia" framework. Tensions in the Horn of Africa escalated after Somaliland, which broke away from Somalia in 1991, established formal ties with Taiwan in 2020. Israel reportedly became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland's independence in December 2025, further complicating the regional rivalry.