The Foreign Affairs Minister of Djibouti, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, was elected as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Youssouf defeated Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in the elections that went up to the sixth round.
This takes us back to August 27, 2024, when lawyer Donald B. Kipkorir warned Kenya against belittling Djibouti in the race.
Kipkorir said Raila should be worried about Djibouti since it has military bases for many nations.
“Djibouti is the only country in the whole world that has military bases for the US, China, France, Italy, Germany, Russia, India & Saudi Arabia,” Kipkorir said.
Did these powerful nations influence the outcome of the AUC elections? We can’t verify that.
But does Djibouti host military bases for these powerful nations? Yes, it does, here is a list of some of the nations with military bases in Djibouti.
Djibouti’s strategic location close to the Bab el Mandeb Strait, the oil-rich Arabian Peninsula, and the strategic shipping lane of the Gulf of Aden has made it a military hub for various nations.
Additionally, the weak security environments in Yemen and Somalia have also increased Djibouti’s significance.
Djibouti hosts military bases belonging to Germany, Spain, Italy, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and Saudi Arabia at very little distance from one another.
Russia and India too have strong interests in setting up military bases there.
Military Bases in Djibouti
Djibouti is indeed unique in hosting military bases for multiple global powers including
1. United States: According to the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, the country hosts a U.S. military presence at Camp Lemonnier, a former French Foreign Legion base in the capital.
The U.S. military also has access to port facilities and the airport by a bilateral agreement.
2. China: A naval base, its first overseas military base. In 2017, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) opened its first overseas base in Djibouti.
3. France: France’s presence in Djibouti dates back to 1892 and French military aircraft have been based in the territory since 1932.
However, an agreement between the two countries was signed on December 21, 2011, in Paris and entered into force on 1 May 2014.
The Treaty establishes operational facilities granted to the French stationed forces, which is the most important French military base abroad.
France operates the Base Aérienne 188, also known as “Camp de l’Unité” or the naval base of Héron.
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This base, established in 1957, is one of France’s largest military installations abroad and is located in Djibouti City.
4. Italy: In 2014, Italy opened its first external inter-service military installation since World War II, in Djibouti, on the Horn of Africa.
However, after the beginning of the European Union anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden (Atalanta), in 2009, Italy opened a small base (80 soldiers) in Djibouti.
5. Japan: The Japan Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Base in Djibouti was opened on 5 July 2011 becoming the first Japanese overseas military base since World War II.
The base is located on the northwest side of the Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport.
German Operations in the Horn of Africa
Germany does not maintain its own military installation in Djibouti. Instead, German troops work out of the available structures, specifically the French military base.
In 2002, Germany thought of recognizing Somaliland and setting up a military housing unit within the region.
But this proposal was not executed, and subsequently, German naval activities have been carried out from Djibouti.
Also Read: Sifuna to Be Kicked Out of ODM After Raila’s AUC Loss
Countries Planning to Establish Military Bases
Three countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia and India are in the process of signing agreements with Djibouti to establish bases in the country.
1. Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia is set to be the latest nation to build a military base in Djibouti.
The agreement dates back to 2016 December when Djibouti said Saudi Arabia is to set up a military base in the country.
In June 2023, the Gulf newspaper reported that the country’s foreign minister Ali Youssouf said in an interview that both nations had agreed on the deal and would soon be making it official.
2. Russia: Russia has also shown interest in establishing a military base in the Horn of Africa.
In August 2023, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin and Djibouti Chief of Staff Zakaria Sheikh discussed bilateral military cooperation between the defence ministries of the two countries.
3. India: There have been reports of interest, but no confirmed permanent bases.
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