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I can revoke my consent later by clicking on the link at the end of every newsletter or by writing to [email protected]. More information on how we process personal data can be found here The Africa programme analyses the geopolitics of the Africa-Europe relationship the programme delves into relations between the African Union and the European Union to find creative foreign policy tools and strategies It also focuses on two regions that are particularly relevant for Europe: the Horn of Africa and the Sahel The Asia programme seeks to help Europe recalibrate its relationship with China and its Asian partners The programme analyses China’s domestic situation It also places a renewed emphasis on fostering Europe’s relationships with the Indo-Pacific The European Power programme is focused on helping Europeans develop sustainable policy solutions to the issues affecting the European Union’s capacity to act with unity on the global scene This includes analysing the path forward for enlargement The Middle East and North Africa programme seeks to support a coherent European agenda in pursuit of regional interests The programme works with European and regional governments and civil society to advance channels of dialogue as well as providing direct policy prescriptions to secure conflict de-escalation The US programme helps Europeans create policy responses to developments in US domestic politics and foreign policy The programme seeks to strengthen transatlantic relations by exploring the obstacles to a more balanced partnership and developing ideas to overcome them The Wider Europe programme aims to help the European Union defend its interests and values in the Western Balkans as well as the South Caucasus and central Asia The programme also supports EU decision-makers work on a unified and coherent policy to address the challenges resulting from Russia’s full scale-invasion of Ukraine The image of Chinese leader Xi Jinping presiding over an important diplomatic breakthrough between arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran in March 2023 has become emblematic of the changing global order and the declining American role in the Middle East Once merely a discreet energy client reluctant to meddle in Middle Eastern politics over the past two decades China has become a key player in the Gulf’s fast-changing geopolitical landscape Ten years after the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013 relations between China and the two main Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) powers – Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – have come a long way developing beyond energy trade to a wide range of new sectors The blossoming relationship between these two Gulf states and China is a symptom of a broader evolution in the geopolitical context and has implications that reach far beyond the Middle East Saudi Arabia and the UAE have emerged as key middle powers driven by their ambition to play a role in a changing global order and the growing geopolitical competition between China and the United States China’s changing perspective on the Gulf is part of its growing assertiveness and ambition on the international scene The wars in Ukraine and especially Gaza have accelerated those trends They have reinforced the narratives of a declining Western-led order and fed growing debates in the Gulf about the need to diversify economic and security partnerships But these wars have also highlighted the contradictions of China’s position Beijing has maintained a reserved approach to the recent Houthi attacks in the Red Sea as well as to the Israel-Hamas conflict more broadly relations between China and the Middle East remain relatively shallow still driven by transactional interactions and a lack of mutual understanding This paper seeks to understand the relations between China and two of the Middle East’s most important powers in all their complexity The dual case study reveals a lot about how the Middle East and the world are changing under the pressures of increasing geopolitical fragmentation and competition it first examines the complex reality of Chinese ties to the UAE and Saudi Arabia revealing a burgeoning relationship that is beginning to touch on geopolitical issues but has yet to fully mature beyond its economic infancy The paper then seeks to situate those ties within the broader geopolitical and geoeconomic developments particularly structural shifts in the international energy market and the growing competition between the US and China Saudi Arabia and the UAE emerge from this narrative as new powers in their own right anxious to set their own path in their region and seeking to navigate between their diverse dependencies on both China and the US The paper concludes with some recommendations on how the EU and its member states can profit from an understanding of these dynamics to calibrate their foreign policy in the Middle East and beyond barely enter into the narrative of the dramatic changes in the region But they clearly have interests in the outcome The paper advises the EU and its member states not to directly counter Chinese influence in the Gulf they should build effective partnerships in areas where Europeans have comparative advantage with both Saudi Arabia and the UAE and can capitalise on those countries’ desires to maintain diversity in their geopolitical relationships and avoid excessive dependence on any one superpower These events are in keeping with a rapid expansion of relations between China and Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the past decade. China – the world’s largest oil importer – has emerged in the last 20 years as the largest client for the Gulf states’ hydrocarbons exports The energy trade is at the core of the China-Gulf relationship China alone represents nearly a quarter of the region’s hydrocarbons exports and will almost certainly remain a top client for decades In the context of China’s Belt and Road Initiative Saudi Arabia and the UAE have also partnered with Chinese companies on key port and industrial zone projects to reinforce their central position on global trade routes These projects include a terminal at Khalifa Port in the UAE and Jeddah ports on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast However, the economic cooperation between the two Gulf states and China has not stopped at energy trade and infrastructure projects. It has instead followed the evolving priorities of Beijing’s foreign policy, which has shifted away from the Belt and Road Initiative and hard infrastructure projects to increasingly focus on digital infrastructures and a diplomatic offensive to promote Chinese norms and narratives globally China-Gulf economic relations started diversifying into a multitude of sectors some of which are potentially strategic – from emerging technologies and AI and critical minerals and renewable energies In general, investment flows in both directions have increased rapidly in recent years, with two of the Gulf’s most important sovereign wealth funds – the UAE’s Mubadala and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) – intending to open new offices in China to target the Chinese market But the sector where China-Gulf cooperation could be most consequential – and potentially problematic for Western countries – is emerging technologies and AI As part of a massive investment in digitalising their economies Saudi Arabia and the UAE have rapidly expanded their cooperation with Chinese tech companies and research institutes including on the development of a covid-19 vaccine and in the launch of the Emirati Ministry of Health’s genomics programme Chinese tech companies also often have less stringent data-privacy standards than Western companies Political and security relations have also expanded alongside these economic ties breaking with Beijing’s traditionally reserved approach towards Middle Eastern politics have upgraded their diplomatic representation in their dealings with China a close adviser to president Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan and CEO of the sovereign wealth fund Mubadala as the country’s special envoy to China the minister of investment Khalid al-Falih – who was previously oil minister and chief executive of the state energy firm Aramco – leads on relations with Beijing Visits to China by senior Gulf state officials have increased significantly over the past decade and vice versa These upgraded diplomatic ties signal the increasing importance of the relationship for all parties More importantly for the Gulf states’ objectives to develop their own national defence industries since 2017 the UAE and Saudi Arabia have cooperated with Chinese companies on the joint development and manufacturing of military drones and ballistic missiles in the Gulf the US set a potential Chinese base in Saudi Arabia as a red line in the context of its efforts to broker a deal to normalise relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel this role still represents a significant departure from China’s non-interventionist approach to Middle Eastern geopolitics It could also pave the way for further political engagement in the future the relationship between China and the Gulf States including Saudi Arabia and the UAE is still in its early stages Chinese and Gulf leaders tend to exaggerate the depth of their interactions either to project power for domestic consumption or to reinforce their bargaining capacity with their Western partners China-GCC relations still struggle to match the depth of the economic and military relations that the region has maintained for several decades with the West during the covid-19 pandemic the Gulf states’ sovereign wealth funds invested heavily in American and European companies showing how much the dollar and Western economies continue to represent safe havens in times of crisis In the meantime, the Chinese economy has slowed significantly. This, alongside Xi’s moves to tighten control of capital, repress Chinese tech giants, and introduce more stringent US sanctions, have cooled the Gulf’s appetite to invest in China. Despite current debates on de-dollarisation the Gulf states have no interest in shifting dramatically to the renminbi and increasing their dependence on what is still an opaque financial system While the Gulf states hope to foster economic cooperation with China and jointly invest along in BRI projects, China remains a competitor to Gulf companies in many sectors, from logistics and aluminium, to mining and manufacturing. China-GCC trade liberalisation talks have been ongoing for nearly 20 years and were recently relaunched again This persistency is driven by a political push from both sides but a free trade agreement may not be underpinned by a strong economic rationale as Gulf countries need to protect their burgeoning local industries from China’s manufacturing power when asked where they would prefer to live if they moved abroad 63 per cent of Saudis chose Europe or the US From private discussions, it appears that the Gulf states see China as an opportunistic and transactional player in the Middle East, and more broadly in international politics.[3] They remain worried of Beijing’s close relationship with Iran and part of the rationale in bringing Beijing to the table of the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement was for Riyadh to hold China more accountable for its ties with Tehran Beijing’s distant reaction to the conflict in Gaza and the escalation in the Red Sea are stark reminders China’s lack of readiness to engage significantly in Middle Eastern security issues In a ECFR polling from September 2023 Saudi respondents declared that if forced to choose they would prefer their country to be part of an American bloc (50 per cent) rather than a Chinese bloc of countries (39 per cent) Saudi Arabia was the country with the second highest share of respondents who considered that the EU would collapse and that the US would cease being a democracy within the next twenty years Saudi Arabia came second right after China in the Gulf and most other Middle Eastern countries the population tends to overestimate the extent of Chinese investments in their countries while dramatically underestimating European ones the challenge posed by China to European interests in the Middle East is less about what China effectively does in the region than about how it feeds into a battle of narratives that erodes the leverage of European countries the picture that emerges of Chinese relations with the UAE and Saudi Arabia is of a burgeoning but still limited and somewhat transactional partnership but both sides want it to continue to grow in depth and breadth China’s new relationship with Saudi Arabia and the UAE is driven in part by a structural shift in global energy markets the shift in the centre of gravity of global energy demand towards Asia and China This shift not only challenges the core of the “energy for security” relationship between the US and the Gulf it also changes the patterns of geoeconomic dependencies and calls into question the denomination of oil trade in dollars in the future In 1945, a meeting between then-US president Theodore Roosevelt and Saudi King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud aboard the USS Quincy was the first step in an alliance based on a stable supply of low-cost oil in exchange of American security guarantees oil has been sold in dollars and the large revenues derived from its sale – “petrodollars” – were largely recycled into the US economy This mechanism played a major role in the blossoming of the American economy after the second world war and the international domination of the dollar the US has become the Gulf states’ primary security partner and the cornerstone of the regional security architecture in the wider Middle East China’s rapid emergence over the past two decades as the Gulf states’ biggest energy client radically changes the picture of the Gulf’s states core economic interests It also raises new questions about whether this new situation could lead to greater Chinese political and security involvement in the Gulf in the long run While imports of GCC oil to other Asian countries especially India and south-east Asian countries are also expected to rise rapidly in the coming decades these are unlikely to replace China as the top importer The stakes may be the highest of all for the Gulf states themselves. Since the 1970s, they – and especially Saudi Arabia – have derived major geopolitical leverage from their position as pivotal producers, capable of regulating global energy markets. Oil revenues allowed them to “buy” key political influence in the wider Middle East and with powers farther afield oil remains at the centre of their political despite their recent diversification efforts nurturing their relationship with China is about maintaining their centrality in the world’s economy and the geoeconomic influence they derive from it in times of global energy transitions This goal explains why some of Saudi Arabia’s recent investments in China’s refineries have been highly subsidised lack an economic rationale and instead seem aimed at deepening China’s dependence on Gulf oil It is therefore unlikely that the new energy interdependence between the Gulf and China will automatically lead to more Chinese involvement in the region’s geopolitics and security the same way it did for the US in the 20th century This new China-Gulf energy interdependence is occurring against a backdrop of declining US hegemony and increasing multipolarity Saudi Arabia and UAE are deeply aware of this trend and keen to position themselves well to take advantage of it They are therefore seeking out new partnerships – including with China – to develop more flexible The changing global dynamics also offer the Gulf states an opportunity to position themselves as key players on the international scene Such a snub was unthinkable only a few years ago Saudi Arabia and the UAE have responded to this change by diversifying their relations with new powers especially in Asia and in developing countries Both these organisations aim to offer an alternative model to Western-led multilateral platforms Joining them positions Saudi Arabia and the UAE in a global south space in which China plays a key role Due to the limited power these organisations currently wield the Saudi and Emirati decisions to join them is not for the moment highly consequential But it is a strong indicator of their goal to become key middle powers at the junction between the West and the global south The Gulf states are therefore useful partners for Beijing in this sense thanks to their ability to shape political developments in the developing world and Western-led international institutions The wars in Ukraine and Gaza accelerated these trends The war in Ukraine highlighted how middle powers – including the Gulf states – pursue their own interests independently of Western priorities They have also increased moves among these powers to shield themselves against Western sanctions The US and European response to the war in Gaza has further eroded Western legitimacy in the Middle East and sharpened narratives promoted by China and Russia of a West-rest divide. The war in Ukraine has been a priority of China’s foreign policy. Beijing closely follows Western reactions to Russia’s invasion and the subsequent dynamics between Europe and NATO as it prepares for a potential escalation in the Indo-Pacific presents an opportunity for Beijing to further advance its narratives on the international scene and expose Western contradictions Another bargaining chip comes from the Gulf’s role in entrenching the reserve status of the US dollar one great benefit of energy interdependence with the GCC is as a lever to promote the internationalisation of the renminbi and perhaps eventually threaten the status of the dollar Beijing has repeatedly pressed Gulf countries to accept renminbi as petrocurrency a move that Gulf leaders have mostly resisted due to the deep interconnection of their economies and currencies with the dollar recent developments could change the Gulf states’ calculations The war in Ukraine and Western sanctions against Russia have accelerated debates in the Gulf about ways to shield their economies from economic coercion including potentially by reducing their dependence on the dollar according to Asia Society estimates based on data from the Bank of China The renminbi remains far from challenging the dominance of the dollar But these deals pave the way for an evolution that could have far reaching consequences for the global financial equilibrium An oil trade between GCC states and China that is insulated from US sanctions could also be important in case of an all-out confrontation between the US and China over Taiwan the US and Europe’s current push to de-risk their supply chains and limit their direct imports from China represents an opportunity for the Gulf states to position themselves as key trade interconnectors between the West and China The main GCC ports and related industrial zones already serve as major re-export and transformation hubs linking Asia to Europe They could therefore benefit from the West’s efforts to re-localise part of their global supply chains outside China which already has a track record in allowing certain countries such as Iran and Russia to bypass international sanctions could also have a role to play in case of tightening US sanctions against China The preceding analysis implies that the Gulf’s rapprochement with China is both a symptom and a cause of deeper evolutions taking place in the regional and global orders These changes are not only affecting the geopolitics of the region they are also progressively eroding European countries’ ability to shape political developments in their direct neighbourhood and beyond This erosion includes their ability to build coalitions and consensus with Gulf partners on international issues that reach beyond the Middle East and arms control to conflicts in regions such as Ukraine Russia’s war in Ukraine has underscored the importance of energy geopolitics The recycling of billions of petrodollars in the international economy also provides the Gulf states with considerable financial power which they use as leverage to influence both regional and international politics The Gulf states’ decisions to comply or not with Western sanctions or to help a state bypass them to redirect billions in investments and government bonds and to denominate oil trade in other currencies than the dollars can have far reaching consequences on the world’s geopolitics This could be the case especially in the advent of an escalation in the Indo-Pacific The Gulf states increasingly appear to be significant pivot powers that can tilt the balance of international politics at key moments Beijing’s growing influence in the Gulf in a context of sharpening global rivalries and fragmentation could pose various potential challenges to European interests access to critical port infrastructures and freedom of navigation But Beijing’s growing involvement in the region can also create at least an interlocutor with whom European countries can engage on regional security issues European countries need to take stock of these changes and carefully assess how they may affect their interests and relations with different partners in the long run The European Union’s decision in 2023 to establish a structured network of diplomats to monitor China’s activities all over the world already represents good progress National governments should encourage greater coordination between the different geographic and sectoral divisions – including between the ministries of foreign affairs It is neither feasible nor desirable for Europeans to try to counter China’s influence in the Middle East China is an unavoidable partner that European countries may want to engage with on certain issues remain realistic about the degree of cooperation they can achieve in a context of increasing competition European countries will have to strike the right balance between setting clear redlines with their Gulf partners on areas where Chinese presence can become problematic and exploring new paths for engagement with the Gulf states and other non-Western partners in the region the GCC-China nexus can be a useful laboratory of Europe’s evolving foreign policy in a multipolar world but since then Beijing has been reluctant to exert pressure on Iran to limit Houthi attacks in the Red Sea Given their own inability to re-launch a diplomatic track with Iran on nuclear issues, European countries should encourage Beijing to play a more active role, and to press Iran to comply with International Atomic Energy Agency regulations that require it to submit information about nuclear facilities to the agency and to stop nuclear activities with no civilian justification Nuclear proliferation is a topic on which China and Europe’s interests align given that Beijing has no interest in seeing a risk of nuclear proliferation between two of its main energy providers Moreover, China’s growing relationship with GCC countries makes Beijing more accountable for its ties with Iran. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have watched with concern China’s military and economic support to Iran. In early 2024, Chinese weapons were found among Hamas fighters raising questions about Beijing’s commitment to countering the proliferation of weapons amongst Iran’s proxies in the region While Beijing denies being responsible for such smuggling it is likely that it has been turning a blind eye on some of these transfers from Iran which continue to perceive Iranian proxies as a major security threat Calling out China on those issues and encouraging Gulf countries to raise it in their interactions with Beijing can help push China to adopt a more responsible position. Recent Houthi attacks in the Red Sea create a new opportunity for Europeans to engage with China on regional maritime security issues European countries should be realistic about the degree of engagement that can be achieved on these issues Beijing’s reluctance to react to the Red Sea attacks shows that the country is ready to bear a certain level of economic cost rather than taking the risk of threatening the diplomatic ties it has created in the region The current crisis is also eroding the West’s legitimacy in the Middle East and beyond in ways that feed into Beijing’s narratives to promote a new global order European countries should not expect China to take any significant political risk in the region and should remain aware that the Chinese have so far shown little interest in engaging with them on Middle Eastern issues opportunities of security cooperation have been limited due to mounting rivalry with the US and a growing climate of defiance Past experiences of maritime security cooperation in the Gulf of Aden have left Western countries with the suspicion that Beijing was not participating in good faith in those exercises and rather used them as a way to collect intelligence on its competitors sharing with Beijing sensitive information about the way they conduct naval operations does not appear as an option for Europeans European countries should keep channels of discussion open with Beijing on regional security issues and could potentially identify targeted areas of engagement when possible But they should remain mindful of not over-publicising their engagement with Beijing as it would end up supporting Beijing’s narratives to present itself as an influential and responsible player without having to deliver much in return calling out publicly Beijing’s inaction can also be a way to remind regional partners of the transactional nature of Beijing’s involvement in the region European countries cannot counter the ongoing changes in global geoeconomic dynamics and should not try to pressure the Gulf states over their growing economic ties with China It would be unrealistic to try to compete with Chinese companies on all fronts They should rather focus on the sectors where they have strong advantages and understand the continued attractiveness of their companies and investments to Gulf countries Despite an acceleration in Gulf-China economic ties European countries remain a top source of investments to the region and their companies are still regarded as highly innovative and competitive by the Gulf in many advanced sectors They have a key role to play in supporting the Gulf states’ diversification and energy transition agendas and can position themselves as alternative economic partners to both the US and China European companies can invest in key sectors that are crucial to the Gulf states’ diversification strategies, such as renewable energies and green hydrogen, electric vehicles, critical minerals, and new technologies. The EU could especially put the European Green Deal at the centre of its diplomatic efforts with the Gulf to develop a joint preferential green investment area To make a difference with their Chinese competitors European companies can localise part of their manufacturing or research and development activities in the Gulf therefore promoting transfer of know-how and development of the human capital crucial to the region’s development The EU can mobilise tools like Global Gateway that have remained until now unused in the Gulf context Japan and South Korea can be useful partners for Europeans to invest in the Gulf’s renewable energies – including green and blue hydrogen – and high-tech sectors In areas where Gulf-China cooperation poses a potential threat to their core strategic interests European countries should not shy away from setting – and enforcing – clear red lines on their Gulf partners This can be in areas where there is a risk of leakage of sensitive technologies or defence-related information to China France has an important military base in the UAE and several European countries export military technologies to the Gulf They could more explicitly condition their most advanced forms of security cooperation with the Gulf to tangible guarantees towards China Similar conditions could be imposed for cooperation on advanced technologies The US has already obtained concessions from the Gulf states on some of these key issues Gulf countries’ way of reinforcing their hand in those negotiations is to play their Western partners against each other It is therefore key that European countries avoid opportunistic behaviours and stick to a united approach – including with their American partner – when dealing with key security concerns European policymakers should understand that although the relations between China and key Gulf powers have progressed rapidly over the past decade there is still a long way to go before it can make up for a century of deep Middle Eastern relations with the United States and Europe This new projection of Saudi Arabia and the UAE towards Asia is still in its infancy but it has already contributed to profound changes in the region’s relationship with the US The immediate result has been the emergence of new Gulf powers on the international scene more ambitious and independent in their foreign policies both the UAE and Saudi Arabia will struggle to maintain the balance between their various partners in a context of growing rivalries between great powers There is yet more great game to come in the Gulf The author would like to thank the precious support and feedback of Julien Barnes-Dacey and Janka Oertel as well as Jeremy Shapiro and Kim Butson for their editing work The author would like to also thank all the officials and Europe that devoted some of their time to the discussions that fed into this paper [1] Author’s calculation [2] Author interviews with Gulf company officers [3] Author Interviews with Saudi Emirati and Bahraini Foreign Ministry and Defense Officials and experts [4] Author calculation based on information from the UNCOMTRADE trade database [5] CFIUS is an inter-agency committee which reviews foreign investments in the US that implicate national security concerns Be the first to know about our latest publications I consent to receiving the selected ECFR newsletters and to the analysis of open & click rates. I can revoke my consent later by clicking on the link at the end of every newsletter or by writing to [email protected]. More information on how we process personal data can be found here Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website. Content from video platforms and social media platforms is blocked by default. If these services are accepted, displaying this content no longer requires manual consent. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. "Frankie was a resilient woman, mom, and friend with so much to offer and will be missed by many," a BET spokesperson told EW. Cole had been transparent of her mother's drug addiction in the past. "Every time my mom relapse, it breaks my heart more than it's already been broken," she wrote in 2018 Keyshia Cole’s mother, Frankie Lons, passed away in July a cause of death has been provided by the Alameda County Coroner’s Office TMZ reports that an autopsy reveals that Lons Lons had been going through a decades-long battle with addiction. In February 2020, she checked into a rehab facility RELATED: Keyshia Cole, Breaks Her Silence After Death Of Mother, Frankie Lons Frankie’s brother Sam told the celebrity news outlet she overdosed at her home in Oakland, where she was celebrating her birthday. In February 2020, Lons checked into a rehab facility. In 2006, Frankie was a regular on Keyshia’s BET reality show, Keyshia Cole: My New Life in 2006. The duo famously had many heartfelt moments, with Cole being very vocal about her mother’s struggles with addiction. BET released the following statement after Lons’ death: You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission View this post on Instagram A post shared by KC Cole (@keyshiacole) Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York Lons suffered an overdose and battled drug addiction for years The official cause of death is pending from the Alameda County Medical Examiner Former State Official Charges State Treasurer With Sexual Harassment Barbara Lee Accepts Victory With “Responsibility and the Push for Improved Results in California Chief Kyla Johnson-Trammell to Step Down on July 1 Supporters of Swim A Mile | Move A Mile for Women with Cancer Raised $8 Million Caregivers of Young Children Report Difficulty Accessing Essentials from Food Pantries IN MEMORIAM: Pope Francis Dies as Catholic Church’s Reckoning with Racism Remains and website in this browser for the next time I comment The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 30 – May 6 AB 100 approves major investments in regional conservancies across the state including over $30 million each for the Sierra Nevada and San Gabriel/Lower LA Rivers and Mountains conservancies An additional $10 million will support wildfire response and resilience efforts over 600,000 rideshare drivers want the ability to form or join unions for the sole purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid and protection including some rideshare drivers and others working in the gig economy Home-based business with potential monthly income of $10K+ per month A proven training system and website provided to maximize business effectiveness Perfect job to earn side and primary income Contact Lynne for more details: Lynne4npusa@gmail.com 800-334-0540 Newsom Fights Back as AmeriCorps Shutdown Threatens Vital Services in Black Communities New York Stands Firm Against Trump Administration’s Order to Abandon Diversity in Schools I consent to receiving the selected ECFR newsletters and to the analysis of open & click rates. 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More information on how we process personal data can be found here Middle East geoeconomics; China – Gulf relations; Gulf region; Red Sea geopolitics She was also a Schuman Fellow at the European Parliament Lons holds an MSc in population and development from the London School of Economics an MA in international relations from Sciences Po Aix and an MA in middle eastern studies from Aix-Marseille University Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website Content from video platforms and social media platforms is blocked by default displaying this content no longer requires manual consent This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page "You can never prepare for something like this.. I consent to receiving the selected ECFR newsletters and to the analysis of open & click rates. I can revoke my consent later by clicking on the link at the end of every newsletter or by writing to [email protected]. More information on how we process personal data can be found here Amid growing geopolitical fragmentation and the rise of middle powers the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia stand out for their successful attempts to reinvent themselves as regional linchpins Despite having to operate within an increasingly difficult economic environment the Gulf states have simultaneously expanded their ties with China and the United States and reaped remarkable economic rewards in the process. Mark Leonard welcomes senior policy fellow Agathe Demarais and policy fellow and Deputy Head of ECFR’s Paris office How have the UAE and Saudi Arabia managed to juggle different competing powers What lessons do their strategies hold for other middle powers And what should the European Union be doing to pursue its own interests in the region? This episode was recorded on 11 April 2024 3 Body Problem – a Netflix TV Series by David Benioff Blind Man’s Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage by Sherry Sontag and Christopher Drew The Power of Currencies and Currencies of Power by Alan Wheatley There’s Still Tomorrow – a film by Paolo Cortellesi I consent to receiving the selected ECFR newsletters and to the analysis of open & click rates. I can revoke my consent later by clicking on the link at the end of every newsletter or by writing to [email protected]. More information on how we process personal data can be found here biological mother of R&B singer Keyshia Cole and best known for her appearances on Cole’s BET reality series “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is,” died on Sunday at age 60 Lons’ daughter Elite Noel confirmed the news on Instagram saying in a Story she experienced the “worst pain ever… to see my mama in a body bag on her birthday.” TMZ which first published news of Lons’ death She had repeated struggles with substance abuse Lons gave Keyshia Cole up for adoption; they were reunited after Cole became an adult She became nationally known during “The Way It Is,” which ran on BET from 2006-2008 and subsequently starred in a spinoff series “Frankie & Neffe,” in 2009 “We were saddened to hear the news of our BET family Frankie Lons’ passing. Our viewers first got to meet and know her in ‘Keyshia Cole: All In’ as Keyshia Cole’s birth mother and in multiple other unscripted projects, including ‘Keyshia Cole: My New Life’ and ‘Frankie & Neffe,’” BET said in a statement Monday “Viewers also go to see first-hand Frankie’s trials and tribulations as she battled addiction and as she tried to mend her relationship with her daughters and friend with so much to offer and will be missed by many Our thoughts and prayers go out to Keyshia and the family during this difficult time.” An autopsy report has determined the official manner of death of Keyshia Cole’s biological mother, Frankie Lons. According to the Alameda County Coroner’s Office, the 61-year-old passed away from an accidental overdose. “I honestly don’t even know how to feel. You can never prepare for something like this… Ever!!!” Cole wrote in the wake of her mother’s death. “But you will be missed…. Your humor was unmatched!!! Naturally so funny, that’s what I loved about your personality… We all did.” Frankie Lons has reportedly passed away.The details of her death are not known but she allegedly passed away on her birthday Her daughter Elite Nicole confirmed the news on Instagram .css-1cgrwt0{box-sizing:border-box;padding:24px 0;}.css-1cgrwt0 a{color:#0a0a0a;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1cgrwt0 a:hover,.css-1cgrwt0 a:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1cgrwt0 b,.css-1cgrwt0 strong{font-weight:700;}Cole's ex-husband and former NBA player Daniel "Booby" Gibson took to Instagram to provide some words of reflection upon hearing the news of his former mother-in-law's death Lons has beens struggling with addiction for years. She checked into a rehab facility in February 2020 RELATED: Keyshia Cole Is Retiring From Music Lons became a household name after appearing in Cole’s first reality series Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is in 2006. She starred in a spin-off with her daughter, and Cole’s sister, Neffe Pugh called Frankie & Neffe. The series ended in October 2009. A BET Spokesperson issued the following statement on the news of Lons passing: Your Ads Privacy ChoicesIMDb The singer plays herself in the Lifetime biopic 'Keyshia Cole: This Is My Story,' premiering Saturday Janine Rubenstein is Editor-at-Large at PEOPLE and host of PEOPLE Every Day podcast pop culture and heartwarming human interest stories human interest and television news throughout her many years with the brand Prior to PEOPLE she's written for Essence The Cape Times newspaper and Los Angeles Magazine among others On-screen Rubenstein can be found featured on shows like Good Morning America and Entertainment Tonight and she routinely hosts PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly's star-studded Red Carpet Live specials Black Barbie collector and proud mom of two on Instagram and Twitter @janinerube Keyshia Cole's biological mom died of an overdose while celebrating her 61st birthday following a decades-long struggle with addiction Sam claimed he was checking in on Frankie daily to make sure she was staying clean Sam reportedly emphasized that he wanted Lons to be remembered as someone who loved her children Cole's sister, Elite Noel, also announced her mom's passing on her Instagram Story. “Worse [sic] pain ever,” Elite wrote on Monday. “To see my mama in a body bag on her birthday! My heart so f***in broke." 5 THINGS THE CHRIS WATTS NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY DIDN'T SHOW — FIGHTS, AFFAIRS & MORE Cole was reportedly given up for adoption by Lons and her biological father, Virgil Hunter, at a very young age. She was raised by family friends, per the outlet, and later reunited with her birth parents after her musical success as an adult Cole would post photos and videos — many of which have since been deleted — of Lons before her time at a facility, often cheering on her sobriety success and encouraging her to stay on the straight and narrow She previously praised her mom last March on Instagram for staying 60 days sober INFLUENCER ODALIS SANTOS MENA DEAD AT 23, FITNESS PRO SUFFERED CARDIAC ARREST DURING BOTCHED PROCEDURE TO COMBAT EXCESSIVE SWEATING: REPORT In 2018, the songstress shared a video of herself with Lons, giving fans an update on her mom's condition at the time. Cole admitted in her post that it "breaks [her] heart more than it’s already been broken" every time her mom would relapse. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Keyshia Cole (@keyshiacole) Link to X Link to Instagram Opt-out of personalized ads A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service People may receive compensation for some links to products and services Offers may be subject to change without notice Frankie Lons, the vibrant mother of singer Keyshia Cole who became a popular figure after appearing on Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is in 2006 News of her death surfaced on Monday morning (July 19) “Worse pain ever….to see my mama in a body bag on her birthday According to TMZ Lons relapsed and overdosed at her home on Sunday while celebrating her birthday checked into rehab and in February would have been there for 30 days She was hopeful that her mom would finally be able to stay sober and be as healthy as possible for her children “Do you believe in the power of love?” she wrote alongside a photo of her next to her mom.”What about lack thereof 50/50 There’s strength in knowing there’s something or someone you can always lean back on hoping I’ll get a chance to feel that feeling from you.” Cole and her older sister, Neffeteria, haven’t spoken publicly on the news. During Cole’s latest reality series on BET, Keyshia Cole My New Life in 2019, the singer and Lons had a conversation about the possibility of her not being around, which Cole said, understandably, alarmed her. “Some things happen out there in the streets and it scares a child, the thought,” Cole said. “One day chicken the next day feathers. If I die today you’re going to move on and you’ve got to make it. You’ve got to live for Keyshia,” Lons replied. “You have to live for you and your family not nobody else. You don’t have to do nothin’ but die and pay taxes, but you have to move on if anything happens to me. At the end of the day you’ll see me later. Up there.” She added, “I’m a be always where you can find me. Even when God calls me. A mother’s love will always protect you.” CA and now he’s sharing details about the only physical item their mother left behind Ghosttt took to his Instagram on Tuesday (July 20) sharing a photo of his late mother’s California Identification Card RELATED: Keyshia Cole’s Ex-Husband Daniel Gibson Honors Frankie Lons In An Emotional Instagram Post “My mothers last thing I can remember her bye,” he captioned the post. “She didnt own much wouldnt let me buy her things, she was a simple woman.” Her daughter Elite Nicole also confirmed the news of her mothers passing on her Instagram story. Lons became a household name after appearing in Cole’s first reality series on BET called Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is in 2006. She starred in a spin-off with her daughter, and Cole’s sister, Neffe Pugh, also on BET called Frankie & Neffe. The series ended in October 2009. Keyshia Cole's biological mother Frankie Lons has reportedly passed away at the age of 61 Frankie was reportedly celebrating her sixty-first birthday this weekend when she relapsed suffering a fatal drug overdose according to Keyshia's brother Sam Sam says that Frankie was on a long battle to sobriety when she used drugs at her Oakland home on Sunday. Her addiction was documented as part of Keyshia Cole My New Life Frankie and Keyshia's biological father Virgil Hunter gave up the R&B singer for adoption at a young age She was raised by family friends and reunited with her parents when she became an adult. Keyshia's sister Elite Noel confirmed their mother's death To see my mama in a body bag on her birthday Keyshia Cole has not made any public statements regarding her biological mother's passing. She was previously supportive of her mother's recovery process, posting last year about Frankie's two months of sobriety back in March 2020. She was one of her mother's biggest cheerleaders as she fought off addiction We will keep you posted as an official cause of death is announced [via] Frankie Lons, Keyshia Cole’s biological mother, has passed away, TMZ and other outlets reported on Monday (July 19) The reality TV star reportedly died on Sunday (July 18) Elite Noel, Keyshia’s sister, first announced her mother’s passing on Instagram “Worse pain ever,” she wrote. “To see my mama in a body bag on her birthday Frankie’s granddaughter, Zayya Henderson, also mourned her death on Facebook “Damn grandma Frankie. The call I just got on your birthday,” she wrote. “I was just finna come see you this week… I just talked to you. Happy birthday beautiful and rest in heaven.” Sam, Keyshia’s brother, told TMZ that Frankie passed away after suffering a drug overdose her official cause of death has not been confirmed According to the outlet, Sam checked in with his mother daily and supported her efforts to stay sober after her decades-long battle with addiction Sam told TMZ that Frankie was celebrating her birthday at her Oakland home on Sunday when she relapsed and tragically overdosed Last year, Keyshia who has not yet publicly commented on her mother’s death celebrated Frankie reaching 60 days of sobriety Keyshia and Frankie’s relationship was well-documented in the R&B star’s BET reality TV series “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is.” Frankie became a household name after the 2006 series and went on to star in a spin-off show with her daughter Neffe Pugh Keyshia has also starred in other reality series including “Keyshia Cole: All In” and “Keyshia Cole: My New Life.” According to TMZ, Sam said he wants fans to remember Frankie as “someone who loved her kids” and “wanted her children to be together.” We at REVOLT send our sincere condolences to Keyshia and her family at this time See posts about Frankie’s tragic passing below Her death was reportedly the result of an accidental overdose and an autopsy conducted by the Alameda Country Coroner’s Office recently confirmed Lons’ cause of death ruling it as "multiple drug intoxication." Cole took to Twitter and Instagram to address her mother’s passing She posted a now-deleted video documenting a candid discussion with her mother about Lons’ journey towards sobriety it breaks my heart more than it’s already been broken if any of u are dealing with a family member who’s battling with drug addiction yourself are learning to cope with the struggle of it all And all the pain it brings to see a loved one constantly relapsing… I really miss u And will always love u #FrankTheBank.” Throughout the years, Keyshia Cole has been transparent about her mother’s struggles with addiction, discussing Lons’ experiences through sobriety and relapse on Cole’s BET reality show Keyshia Cole: My New Life Coping with the loss of a mother is never easy for anyone Cole has been open about the trauma she’s experienced through the grieving process. Lons’ birthday party in July led to a relapse from which she never bounced back “I wish I could’ve healed your pain,” Cole later tweeted out. HotNewHipHop sends our condolences to Keyshia Cole and Frankie Lons’ family [via] Frankie Lons, the mother of singer Keyshia Cole who appeared alongside her daughters on the BET reality series "Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is," has died Cole confirmed her mother died in a social media tribute Thursday alongside a series of photos of her mother throughout the years. I honestly don’t even know how to feel," Cole captioned her post. "You can never prepare for something like this… Ever!! It’s crazy because… For weeks I’ve been quoting you cause they were bought scuffed up already your humor was unmatched!!!" Cole added her late mother was "naturally so funny that's what I loved about your personality… we all did." "I created this post to show my love and appreciation for your life and I would like to thank my fans + supporters for being here with us during these hard times and the love that you all have for us.....the love for all your children was definitely felt," the singer continued. "When u said all you want is to have ALL OF YOUR CHILDREN IN ONE PLACE And I’m completely down to do that for you Cole did not disclose her mother's cause or date of death A spokesperson for BET said in a statement Monday to USA TODAY that the network was "saddened to hear the news of our BET family Frankie Lons' passing." "Our viewers first got to meet and know her in 'Keyshia Cole: All In' as Keyshia Cole's birth mother and in multiple other unscripted projects including 'Keyshia Cole: My New Life' and 'Frankie & Neffe.' Viewers also go to see first-hand Frankie's trials and tribulations as she battled addiction and as she tried to mend her relationship with her daughters," the statement continued. "Frankie was a resilient woman and the family during this difficult time." Lons' former stepson Daniel "Booby" Gibson who shares a son with Cole from their marriage from 2011-20 also paid tribute to Cole's mother this week writing he's "thankful I got to share some real time (with)someone real as you." "Frank the Bank 🗣 i love u forever," he captioned an Instagram picture of himself with Lons now 11. "From day 1 you showed me love. i mean after you roasted my big (expletive) shoes lol it wasn’t never a day we saw each other we weren’t laughing bout sum’n.… legends never die & you (definitely) that in my eyes." Cole's sister, Elite Noel, first revealed Lons' death on her Instagram Story early Monday morning "worse pain ever… to see my mama in a body bag on her birthday 'Verzuz' battle between Ashanti, Keyshia Cole postponed after Ashanti tests positive for COVID-19 Lons' death follows a long battle with addiction as documented on "Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is," which ran for three seasons from 2006-2008 landing her own spinoff series on BET in 2009 with her daughter Neffeteria Pugh She also appeared on the 2015 reality series "Keyshia Cole: All In" and most recently "Keyshia Cole: My New Life" in 2019 where Cole and Lons discussed morality in an episode. "Some things happen out there in the streets and it scares a child," Cole said. "If I die today you’re going to move on and you’ve got to make it You have to live for you and your family not nobody else You don’t have to do nothin’ but die and pay taxes but you have to move on if anything happens to me At the end of the day you’ll see me later but the singer was raised in Oakland by a foster family after her "mother was on the streets and couldn't take care of her," her foster mom Yvonne Cole said during an episode of "Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is." It's just the drug thing," Cole said during the 2007 episode "There's nothing you can really do about it." In 2018, Cole opened up about the toll her mother's battle with addiction has taken on her under an emotional Instagram video where Lons said she's taking her recovery "one day at a time." it breaks my heart more than it’s already been broken," Cole captioned the video if any of u are dealing with a family member who’s battling with drug addiction yourself are learning how to cope with the struggle of it all And all the pain it brings to see a loved one constantly relapsing See them go back to the streets Because that’s what they’re used to In July 2020, Pugh celebrated her mother's 61st birthday on Instagram by describing her as a "fun crazy sexy cool (expletive) down to earth and straight to the point an all around mother like no other!" has passed away on her birthday from an overdose Frankie Lons – known as R&B artist Keyshia Cole's biological mother – has reportedly passed away from an overdose Elite Noel announced the news their mother She wrote: "Worse pain ever...to see my mum in a body bag on her birthday Many fans have paid tribute to Frankie on social media and have sent well wishes for her children According to TMZ, Frankie passed away on her birthday after overdosing at her Oakland home on Sunday (Jul 18). Cole's brother, Sam, told the publication that Frankie was celebrating her birthday when she apparently took drugs while partying and relapsed. Frankie battled with an addiction for several decades. In January this year, Keyshia praised her mother Frankie for checking into a rehabilitiation facility to receive treatment. Keyshia wrote: “My day today. happy YOU DECIDED ON YOUR OWN, to check YOURSELF INTO a facility to get treatment". She continued: “Its only been two weeks but I’m trying to be hopeful and optimistic Maybe that’s what’ll make THIS TIME different,” she continued “This being what YOU WANTED AND NO ONE ELSE……. Maybe this is the YEAR IN ALL ASPECTS !!!! Lons became a household name after appearing in Cole's first reality series in 2006 'Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is' She starred in a spin-off with her daughter Neffe Pugh called 'Frankie & Neffe' The series came to an end in October 2009 See more Latest Music News Tickets Keyshia Cole has revealed details for a public memorial for her late mother Frankie Lons Keyshia Cole's mother Frankie Lons passed away last month after celebrating her 61st birthday The news devastated many as she was a loved figure on the scene The grieving songstress has revealed there will be a public memorial held to celebrate the life of Frankie Lons Reports of Frankie Lons' passing emerged on July 19th revealing she had suffered an overdose after celebrating her 61st birthday in Oakland According to TMZ Keyshia's brother Sam revealed he had been says checking in with Frankie daily and trying to help her stay clean during her drug addiction battle The 'Love' singer has previously paid tribute to her mother in an emotional post on Instagram she has revealed the details of her mother's funeral Keyshia Cole has shared details on Frankie's celebration of her life the singer revealed information for people who want to send flowers to honour Lons The post read: "THERE WILL BE A DOVE AND BUTTERFLY RELEASE DIRECTLY AFTER service IF U GUYS WANT TO COME PARTICIPATE." "ALSO PLEASE send my sister [Elite Noel] your get well wishes PLEASE COVID prolonged this service BUT MY MOTHERS WISH WAS TO HAVE ALL HER CHILDREN IN ONE PLACE AT ONE TIME!!!!!" Keyshia continued "So we're trying to make that happen!!! I would LOVE TO SEE ALL MY SIBLINGS THERE!!!!""ALL [seven purple heart emojis] of them!!!!!!" she added Keyshia Cole is baring her soul in her biopic Keyshia Cole: This Is My Story The film recollects Cole’s rise to fame and the personal hardships she endured including vulnerable moments shared between the singer and her later mother The songstress portrays herself in the project while veteran actress Debbi Morgan plays Lons “This is like my way of making peace with a lot of things,” she told People on Friday (June 23). “I was able to relive those moments and make peace with it all. That was my goal.” As previously reported by REVOLT, Cole’s mother passed away after celebrating her 61st birthday on July 18 A coroner’s report obtained by TMZ later confirmed that her death was the result of an accidental drug overdose Lons had suffered from addiction for decades with some of her challenges playing out before millions of viewers on reality shows like “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is” and “Frankie & Neffe.” While the enigmatic personality never shied away from being her authentic self in front of the cameras, Cole told the outlet she was still hesitant to rehash those darker memories ‘I don’t want to show her in that way.’ But she had fans as well and I thought it would be kind of selfish at this point,” said the “Heaven Sent” vocalist “And there’s a lot of great things about my mom that they have never seen She was always joking or always going crazy In the end, Cole said the film helped her find peace. “A lot of the moments felt like she [Lons] was there,” she said. “I felt I was able to tell my mom goodbye because I didn’t get to tell my mom goodbye. In an eerie way, I was able to speak with my mom. Maybe she could hear it.” Next Friday (June 30), the “Love” artist is slated to release a new record inspired by her mother. Sam further confirmed that it was also the day she was celebrating her birthday “Damn grandma Frankie 🥺the call I just got😰 on your birthday,” Zayya posted on her Facebook page Monday “I was just Finna come see you this week I just talked to you 🥺😩 happy birthday beautiful and rest in heaven.” Keyshia’s sister Elite also posted on social media via Instagram stories “Worst pain ever...to see my mama in a body bag on her birthday Sam says he was checking in with Frankie daily trying to help her stay clean...a well-documented battle that Keyshia and co had captured and shared publicly in recent years.. Sam also says the family wants the world to remember Frankie as someone who loved her kids and who wanted her children to be together...despite their turbulent history who was adopted by family friends Leon and Yvonne Cole has been open in sharing her journey and complicated relationship with her biological mother via docuseries Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is Frankie & Neffie (with Keyshia’s sister Neffeteria Pugh) as well as a more recent show in 2019 Keyshia’s biological father is former boxer-turned-coach Virgil Hunter “If I die today you’re going to move on and you’ve got to make it You’ve got to live for Keyshia,” Frankie told Keyshia during a particularly emotional conversation “You have to live for you and your family; not nobody else You don’t have to do nothin’ but die and pay taxes The Root has reached out to Keyshia Cole’s representative for official comment and we are awaiting a response Our condolences and thoughts go out to Keyshia and her family Keyshia Cole paid tribute to her late biological mother Frankie via her Instagram page “This is so hard man,” Keyshia wrote in the caption alongside a slideshow of pictures with Frankie You can never prepare for something like this.. Keyshia thanked her fans as well as Frankie’s fans for their support as she and her family grieve this tragic news cause they were bought scuffed up already 😩 your humor was unmatched!! that’s what I loved about your personality... Keyshia Cole is breaking her silence following her mother’s death On Sunday, the singer’s biological mother Frankie Lons died from a reported drug overdose at her Oakland home an emotional Cole took to Instagram on Thursday evening to share a heartfelt tribute You can never prepare for something like this… Ever!! Keyshia fondly recalled her mother’s “unmatched” humor (“Naturally so funny that’s what I loved about your personality”) while remembering her as a loving soul who was full of life “I created this post to show my love and appreciation for your life,” she added before thanking well wishers “I would like to thank my fans + supporters and the love that you all have for us…..the love for all your children was definitely felt.” Keyshia said she is willing to come together with Frankie’s other children to honor their mother “When u said all you want is to have ALL OF YOUR CHILDREN IN ONE PLACE And I’m completely down to do that for you Keyshia reflected on happier days with Frankie while sharing all the flowers she received from friends and well wishers Keyshia Cole’s biological mother Frankie Lons has died at 61 Cole’s brother Sam tells TMZ that Frankie overdosed at her Oakland home on Sunday (July 18) the same day she was celebrating her birthday she took drugs while partying and relapsed Frankie’s hard-fought journey to sobriety was documented on several BET shows including “The Way It Is” and “Frankie & Neffe.” Keyshia has not publicly addressed her mother’s death but her sister Elite Noel took to Instagram to mourn the devastating loss “Worse pain ever,” Elite wrote on Instagram Stories “To see my mama in a body bag on her birthday Keyshia was given up by Frankie and her biological father She was raised by family friends and reunited with her birth parents later in life as an adult The R&B singer was candid about her mother’s addiction struggles throughout her life Frankie announced that she was on the path to sobriety with the help and encouragement of her family “I need everybody to keep me in their prayers As long as I have something to do and stay focused then I won’t have to worry about no triggers,” she said The R&B singer opened up about her mother's passing in a touching tribute on social media Keyshia Cole has opened up about her late mother Frankie Lons death in a touching tribute post died of a fatal overdose while celebrating her 61st birthday in her native Oakland earlier this week The 39-year-old singer-songwriter shared a series of photos with her late mother as she gave fans a deep look into how she currently feels 'This is so hard man,' Cole began The 'Love' singer who was on multiple reality shows with her mother paid tribute to her mum on social media 'to show [her] love and appreciation for [her mother's] life Cole continued: 'I would like to thank my fans + supporters and the love that you all have for us.....the love for all your children was definitely felt,' she said The 'Heaven Sent' singer revealed what she had planned for Frankie's 61st birthday celebration 'When u said all you want is to have ALL OF YOUR CHILDREN IN ONE PLACE and I’m completely down to do that for you,' she wrote Cole’s sister Elite Noel initially announced the news of their mother's death on her Instagram story She wrote: 'the worst pain ever … to see [her] mama in a body bag on her birthday,' adding Cole and her mother had a complicated relationship as the artist was adopted by family friends as a child eventually mending fences with Lons in later years Cole had featured her mother on her 2006 show Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is and the 2019 series Keyshia Cole: My New Life The singer touched on her mother's battle with substance abuse praising her for reaching sobriety for 60 days in March of 2020