(Djibouti) One base, two bases, bases (maj)

December 26, 201222th January 2023 Nicolas Gros Verheyde

(BRUSSELS2) In Djibouti, there is of course the French base, ancestral, and the American base, more recent, on the Lemonnier camp. Americans who are strengthening their presence, little by little. Djibouti serving for the United States as a "continental aircraft carrier" for their drones. But these are not the only military settlements. Djibouti attracts like a magnet the countries which wish to establish a military manpower in this strategic "paradise".

Developing Americans

The American base has about 2700 men to which must be added 1000 contractors and 1000 local employees. The Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) works in three distinct areas. A dozen countries make up its "operation area": in addition to the surrounding countries (Somalia, Kenya, Eritrea, Uganda), we find Burundi, Rwanda, the Seychelles and Tanzania. A dozen others appear in its "area of interest": from Egypt to Madagascar, passing through the two Sudans (Sudan and South Sudan), Chad, the Central African Republic, Congo and Mozambique. Finally, all of Africa appearing in its "area of responsibility".

A German presence for ten years

Besides the two countries already mentioned, the first to do so was Germany. Since 2002, and the operation Enduring freedom, it thus maintains a small contingent of 30 to 80 people depending on the moment, intended to liaise with the ships that dock at the port. They do not have their own site but have a few bungalows at the airport and are housed at the Sheraton hotel.

The fight against piracy is a good reason for setting up business for the Japanese

Thanks to the fight against piracy, the Spaniards and, above all, the Japanese also arrived. The latter arrived with arms and luggage and are willing to invest in an area where the Chinese are very present. The Japanese base was opened in July 2011 and has approximately 180 personnel and 2 P3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. This presence is a significant change in strategy for the country. This is the first overseas establishment since the Second World War; which necessitated the modification of the law. But this Japanese presence is therefore not only military. The Japanese Development Agency is funding several projects in the country, including a project covering part of the sanitation of the capital.

Latest arrivals: the Italians

The Italians have decided to settle permanently (like the French and the Germans). They are preparing to build a base near the international airport. This base is not really connected to the airport but it will then suffice to build a piece of runway (taxiway) which is missing. The Italian government should pay a rent of 30 million euros (the same as the French and the Americans) to the Djiboutian government. Only problem, the new base will be very close to the ammunition depot of the French FFDJ, which could pose some security problems. For Italy, we can bet that this presence is not due to the fight against pirates but above all to the stabilization of nearby Somalia.

Russians ?

The Russians also want to establish themselves in Djibouti. They no longer have a naval base in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean since the independence of Eritrea and the reunification of Yemen. And they recently expressed their desire to establish themselves in the country. A request confirmed half-words by the Djiboutian officials who however did not want to confirm the state of the negotiations. " There is a request A senior Djiboutian diplomat told B2.