Djibouti (HAN) May 11, 2014 – HAN & Geeska Afrika Online’s weekly security reporter in Djibouti. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met at the Pentagon last week with Ismail Omar Gueleh, the president of Republic of Djibouti (The former French base of the Horn of Africa and the French Somali coast).
In a statement summarizing the 30-minute meeting, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said the three leaders discussed regional security interests and bilateral issues, including counterterrorism and details of the new 30-year land lease to support U.S. forces at Camp Lemonnier.
“Secretary Hagel reiterated the United States’ commitment and partnership for regional security in the Horn of Africa and efforts to prevent al-Qaida and al-Shabaab from threatening stability and the free flow of commerce,” Kirby said. “He also stressed the importance of the newly established bilateral forum to discuss mutual security issues.”
Hagel lauded Djibouti’s contributions to the African Union Mission in Somalia, he added, and the leaders discussed current and future U.S. support for Djiboutian security forces participating in the mission.
“The conversation ended with Secretary Hagel commending the courage of Djibouti forces in operations against terrorists and thanking President Gueleh for hosting and helping ensure the safety of U.S. personnel in Djibouti,” the press secretary said. Picture: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, right, greets Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh at the Pentagon, May 7, 2014. by Erin Kirk-Cuomo.
Duty in Djibouti: AFN & Geeska Afrika Online Regional security partnership in Djibouti ( Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa)
The legal case of a former CIA Yemani detainee suing Djibouti for hosting the facility where he says he was detained could be helped by the contents of a still-classified Senate report. Djibouti, a key U.S. ally for AFRICOM base, has denied for years that its territory has been used to keep suspected militant operatives in secret captivity. Official confirmation of Djibouti’s role in hosting “black sites” used in the CIA’s rendition program would be welcomed by Mohamad Al-Asad, a Yemeni arrested at his home in Tanzania on Dec. 27, 2003, blindfolded and flown to a location he insists was Djibouti.
Djibouti’s Ambassador to the U.S., Roble Olhaye, told reporters, “If something was done in the context of the American base there how would we know?” Sources: Pentagon, Al-jazeera and HAN (Horn of Africa Newsline)
The latest updates Follow twitter.com/GeskaAfrika
Geeska Afrika Online (1985 -2014) – The International Gateway news and views about the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Somaliland, Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti, Kenya and Uganda), the best IGAD news and information Online Site for the last 20 Years.
–
HAN & Geeska Afrika Online (1985-2014), the oldest free independent Free Press in the region, brings together top journalists from across the Horn of Africa. Including Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, Djibouti, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Oromo, Amhara, Somali, Afar and Harari. Plus, we have daily translations from 150 major news organizations in the Middle East and East African regions. Contact at news@geeskaafrika.com
Leave a Reply