Foreign relations of Djibouti

Djibouti
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Foreign relations of Djibouti are managed by the Djiboutian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Djibouti maintains close ties with the governments of Somalia, Ethiopia, France and the United States. It is likewise an active participant in African Union and Arab League affairs. Since the 2000s, Djiboutian authorities have also strengthened relations with China.

Bilateral relations

Eritrea

With the Eritrean-Ethiopian War (1998–2000), Ethiopia channeled most of its trade through Djibouti. Though Djibouti is nominally neutral, it broke off relations with Eritrea in November 1998, renewing relations in 2000. Eritrea's President Isaias visited Djibouti in early 2001 and President Ismail Omar Guelleh made a reciprocal visit to Asmara in the early summer of 2001. While Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh has close ties with Ethiopia’s ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), he has tried to maintain an even hand, developing relations with Eritrea. On June 10, 2008 clashes broke out in the Ras Doumeira region between Djibouti and Eritrea.

Ethiopia

Diplomatic relations between the two countries was established in 1984.^[1] Relations between the countries are generally good. Both countries share ownership of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railroad; however, this utility is in need of repairs and upgraded capacity. The railroad is tied to the Port of Djibouti, which provides port facilities and trade ties to landlocked Ethiopia. Disputes between the Afar and Issa people of Djibouti have the potential of involving Ethiopian citizens of these groups.

• The border between the two countries is based on the Franco-Ethiopian convention of 20 March 1897. A protocol signed by France and Ethiopia on 16 January 1954, stated that the demarcation of the boundary between the colony of Dibouti and Ethiopia as considered final, which became effective 28 February of that year. With the independence of Djibouti, there have been no significant issues over this border.^[2]
• Djibouti President Hassan Gouled Aptidon paid an official visit to Ethiopia in October 1991, when a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation was signed between the two countries. Since 1991, the two countries have signed over 39 protocols agreements.^[1]

France

Djibouti's military and economic agreements with France provide continued security and economic assistance. Djibouti has been the host country for French military units since independence.

India

• India has Honorary Consulate in Djibouti City.^[3]
• Djibouti maintains an Embassy in New Delhi.^[4]

Kosovo

Djibouti officially recognised the independence of the Republic of Kosovo on 8 May 2010.^[5] On 22 March 2013 Djibouti and Kosovo established diplomatic relations and vowed to strengthen bilateral co-operation with one another.^[6]

Somalia

As the headquarters of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development regional body, Djibouti has been an active participant in the Somalian peace process. It hosted the Arta conference in 2000,^[7] as well as the 2008-2009 talks between the Transitional Federal Government and the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia, which led to the formation of a coalition government.^[8] In 2011, Djibouti joined the African Union Mission to Somalia.^[9] Following the establishment of the Federal Government of Somalia in 2012,^[10] a Djibouti delegation also attended the inauguration ceremony of Somalia's new president.^[11]

South Korea

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Djibouti were established on 7 December 1977. Bilateral trade in 2011 amounted to $47,390,000 in exports, and $9,000 in imports.^[12]

Turkey

Relations between Turkey and Djibouti encompass the political, economic and military sectors. In 2012, exports from Turkey to Djibouti were estimated at $30.7 million USD, with $387,000 in imports from Djibouti. Aggregate bilateral trade between the two nations also totaled $31 million in volume.^[13]

United States

The U.S. and Djibouti have forged strong ties in recent years. Foreign aid from the U.S. plays the lead role in Djibouti's economy. In 2002, United States units began operations from Djibouti with the aim of countering the possible threat of Islamic terrorism in the Horn of Africa.

In April 1977, the United States established a Consulate General in Djibouti and upon independence in June 1977 raised the status of its mission to an embassy. The first U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Djibouti arrived in October 1980. Over the past decade, the United States has been a principal provider of humanitarian assistance for famine relief, and has sponsored health care, education, good governance, and security assistance programs.

Djibouti has allowed the U.S. military, as well as other nations, access to its port and airport facilities. The Djiboutian Government has been very supportive of U.S. and Western interests, particularly during the Gulf crisis of 1990-91 and after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In 2002, Djibouti agreed to host a U.S. military presence at Camp Lemonnier, a former French Foreign Legion base outside the capital that now houses approximately 3,500 American personnel. U.S. service members organise and provide development and security assistance from the compound to administrations in the Horn of Africa and Yemen as part of the War On Terror. As a victim of past international terrorist attacks, President Guelleh continues to take a very proactive position against terrorism.

International organisations

Djibouti is a member of the African Union, Arab League, La Francophonie and United Nations.

In 1996, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a developmental organisation of seven countries in East Africa, established its headquarters in Djibouti City. IGAD's mandate is for regional cooperation and economic integration.

After the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, Djibouti joined the Global War on Terror. It is now home to the Camp Lemonnier military compound.

Djibouti is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Djibouti
• List of diplomatic missions of Djibouti
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Djibouti)

Notes

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Department of State (Background Notes).

External links

• Embassy of the United States in Djibouti

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