In a recent interview, AFRICOM commander Gen. Stephen Townsend was visibly disconcerted when a reporter asked him about relations between Somalia and China. “There are conversations between the Chinese and the Somalis that happen regularly” he said, “we’ll just have to see.” One topic likely being discussed is the prospect of China setting up its second military base in the Horn of Africa in Somalia – the other being in Djibouti – in a move that would threaten American influence in the region. China has been working to upgrade its ties with the Somali government with both foreign ministers rec…

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