Strategic Thinking on East Africa

By COLIN CLARKon May 12, 2015 at 4:43 PM WASHINGTON: China is pushing hard for either special port access or basing rights in the former French colony of Djibouti, a key center where US and French special operations forces operate from against terrorism in both Africa and the Middle East. I confirmed with a senior allied official today that China is […]

Read the full story

Addis Ababa, 8 May 2015 (WIC) - Visiting US Secretary of State has praised Djibouti government for their role in the fight against extremism and terrorism.“Djibouti is making significant contribution, helping to push back against extremism,” said Kerry. Djibouti hosts the largest US Military base in Africa which is used for anti-terror operation in Somalia and […]

Read the full story

By David Francis Diplomacy often means metaphorically holding one’s nose while dealing with unsavory characters who happen to run strategically important countries. We can only assume Secretary of State John Kerry was thinking of the latter while doing the former during a meeting Wednesday with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, a man who stands accused […]

Read the full story

Kerry visits Djibouti Addis Ababa, 6 May 2015 (WIC) – US Secretary of State John Kerry visited Djibouti today, the first U.S. Secretary of State to visit the country. Upon his arrival at Ambouli International Airport, Kerry was received by Foreign Minister of Djibouti. Accompanied by the US Ambassador to Djiboui, Mr. Tom Kelly and […]

Read the full story

Testimony of Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Human Rights, and International Organizations “U.S. Policy Toward Sudan and South Sudan” February 26, 2014 Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Bass, and Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today. […]

Read the full story

March 3, 2015-The US Embassy in Kampala today reported that American troops and their Eastern Africa counterparts are conducting a joint counter-terrorism exercise in Junja, Uganda. About 320 military personnel from the US, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania and Djibouti are participating in the exercise. The purpose of the joint military exercise is to improve […]

Read the full story

From the Center for Chinese Studies The Weekly China Briefing 6 February 2015 Sudan and China sign six-year oil exploration deal The Sudanese government announced last week that it had signed a six-year agreement with the Chinese National Petroleum Company (CNPC) to increase production in oil fields north of Heglig and parts of the disputed […]

Read the full story

Addis Ababa, 9 February 2015 (WIC) - Djibouti and Ethiopia accused Eritrea of undermining regional stability. “Eritrea is destabilizing peace and security in the countries of the region, including Djibouti,” Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh told a joint press conference with visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. “We agreed that the sanction will remain in effect […]

Read the full story

JANUARY 29, 2015 BY JASON WARNERCOUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS While the African Union’s Heads of State Summit concludes this weekend in Ethiopia, here are seven questions observers and participants will have on their minds. Late January in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia brings waves of impenetrable traffic, pan-African flags adorning the central Bole Road, and scarcely a […]

Read the full story

Addis Ababa, 10 January 2015 (WIC) - Four Foreign Affairs Ministers from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan are in Mogadishu for a historic IGAD Ministerial meeting, last held in Somalia in 1985. Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Minister and current chairman of the IGAD Council of Ministers Dr. Tedros Adhanom is leading the delegation which includes Kenya’s […]

Read the full story