Djibouti: Security AssistanceBureau of Political-Military AffairsWashington, DC July 2, 2007
Background: The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON installed an authoritarian one-party state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999. Unrest among the Afars minority during the 1990s led to a civil war that ended in 2001 following the conclusion of a peace accord between Afar rebels and the Issa-dominated government. Djibouti's first multi-party presidential elections in 1999 resulted in the election of Ismail Omar GUELLEH. Djibouti occupies a very strategic geographic location at the mouth of the Red Sea and serves as an important transshipment location for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands. The present leadership favors close ties to France, which maintains a significant military presence in the country, but has also developed increasingly stronger ties with the United States in recent years. Djibouti currently hosts the only United States military base in sub-Saharan Africa and is a front-line state in the global war on terrorism. [CIA World Factbook.] Djibouti: Security Assistance
The primary U.S. national interests in Djibouti include counter-terrorism, regional stability and promoting economic and social development, human rights and democratization. Djibouti hosts the only U.S. military base in sub-Saharan Africa with approximately 1,000 U.S. military personnel physically on the ground at the headquarters for the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), which directs Coalition counter-terrorism operations in several countries in East Africa and Yemen. A predominantly Muslim country (95 percent) and Arab League member, Djibouti has responded positively to U.S. requests to interdict terrorists, their supporters, and their financial resources. Djibouti is a front-line state in the war on terrorism and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States and its coalition partners. Djibouti currently hosts military forces from several counter-terrorism coalition partners, including the largest French military base outside of France, and naval contingents from Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Djibouti’s deep-water port enhances its usefulness to U.S. military planners. Its location at the strategic straits of Bab el Mandeb at the entrance to the Red Sea directly across the Gulf of Aden from the Arabian Peninsula affords excellent force projection features. The Arabic language program, Radio Sawa, currently broadcasts from Djibouti to Sudan via medium wave transmitter, seven days per week. Radio Sawa also broadcasts 24 hours a day on FM in Djibouti. The Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts French and English programming 24 hours a day via an FM transmitter in Djibouti. In addition, the Broadcasting Board of Governors is close to concluding an agreement with Radio and Television Djibouti (RTD) to broadcast VOA programs in Amharic, Afar Oromo, Tigrigna and English via medium wave transmitters. In order to continue our robust military relationship with Djibouti, International Military Education and Training (IMET) in FY 2007 will promote professionalism and respect for civilian rule. IMET courses will include instruction on civil-military relations, military justice, officer professionalism, defense resources management, and coastal security. Djibouti is eligible to receive Excess Defense Articles (EDA) in FY 2007 on a grant basis under Section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act. Provision of grant EDA such as vehicles, radios, field equipment, patrol vessels and small craft, will support counter-terrorism and other security requirements resulting from Djibouti’s upgraded security profile as a front-line state in the war on terrorism. FY 2007 Foreign Military Financing (FMF) will be used to continue programs focusing on regional security and counter-terrorism, and enhance border and coastal security. Specifically, funds will be used to provide services and support the procurement of defense articles such as vehicles, small craft and patrol vessels, communications equipment, fencing, guard towers, and night-vision goggles to enhance interoperability within the Djiboutian forces and with international partners. These funds will help Djibouti secure its borders and coastline from the increased threat of terrorism. By helping Djibouti improve its own security, these funds will also enhance force protection for Coalition forces there. To see the complete FY 2007 Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations, click here. Commercial Defense Trade Commercial defense trade is yet another avenue by which the U.S. Government can help friends and allies meet their legitimate defense needs, and foster regional stability, deter aggression, and promote the peaceful resolution of disputes. On the legal basis of the Arms Export Control Act, and with the overall intention of safeguarding U.S. national security and furthering U.S. foreign policy objectives, billions of dollars of defense articles and services are authorized for export around the world every year. In fiscal year 2005, the Department of State authorized the export of defense articles and services valued at $2,215,500 for Djibouti. To access the full report from which the figures were taken, and to learn more about the offices that implement the regulations pertaining to commercial defense trade, please visit the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. See also:
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