US Senators Concern Over China’s Influence In Djibouti

United States Senate, WASHINGTON, DC 20510

November 7, 2018

The Honorable Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20520

The Honorable James Mattis, Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense, 1000 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301

Dear Secretary Pompeo and Secretary Mattis,

We write to express concern about Djibouti’s

Prospects For A Horn Of Africa Conffederation

Situated in lofty and often inaccessible mountains to the north, and extending far into the Gulf of Aden
to the east, and the Indian Ocean to the southeast, Kenya to the south and the Sudan to the west, the countries that make up the Horn of Africa roughly occupy 1.88 million sq. km. Principally four countries, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia, make up the Horn of Africa and have a total population of 75 million, which is estimated to reach 144 million in 25 years.

The Horn of Africa is known for its rich history and culture recognized in the Bible, the Quran and ancient writings including those of the Pharonic, and the Greco-Roman empires. This region owed its importance in ancient times to the fact that it was the source of the mighty Nile and lay beside one of the world’s most

U.S. Wary of Its New Neighbor in Djibouti: A Chinese Naval Base

DJIBOUTI — The two countries keep dozens of intercontinental nuclear missiles pointed at each other’s cities. Their frigates and fighter jets occasionally face off in the contested waters of the South China Sea.

With no shared border, China and the United States mostly circle each other from afar, relying on satellites and cybersnooping to peek inside the workings of each other’s war machines.

But the two strategic rivals are about to become neighbors in this sun-scorched patch of East African desert. China is constructing its first overseas military base here — just a few miles from Camp Lemonnier, one of the Pentagon’s largest and most important foreign installations.

Djibouti President Sworn in for Fourth Term in Office

Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh was sworn in for a fourth term in office Sunday in a ceremony attended by several regional heads of states and dignitaries.