In Djibouti, a major contract was signed. Then the Chinese arrived. Everything changed. (by Simon Ateba)
WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America — When a major contract between DP World Limited and the Republic of Djibouti was signed, everyone seemed to be happy and satisfied with the business deal. Both sides pledged to respect the terms of the agreement, and it seemed back then, that Djibouti, a tiny but important country […]
Djibouti ‘rejects’ UAE port legal action
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) owned port company DP World is looking at its “options” following a legal ruling that sided in its favour over a row with Djibouti over control of the Doraleh port terminal, according to Garowe Online. Djibouti seized the Doraleh Container Terminal from DP World in February, over an ongoing dispute […]
Unresolved Eritrea-Djibouti Tensions Threaten Regional Peace
When Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed last month to end their decades-long conflict, the international community responded enthusiastically. Less than a day after the countries signed a joint declaration of peace, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres suggested that sanctions against Eritrea, imposed for alleged support of al-Shabab, an extremist group based in Somalia, may soon […]
Chinese-built Ethio-Djibouti railway drives Africa’s development, integration
Officials from the African Union (AU) and African diplomats have hailed the Chinese-built Ethio-Djibouti railway as a project that helps Africa realize its aspirations of development and integration. The Chinese Mission to AU on Friday organized a train trip event, with officials of the pan-African bloc as well as African and other international diplomats on […]
Djibouti Inaugurates Port for Salt Export
Djibouti has opened the Port of Ghoubet with the main aim of making it a key terminal for salt exportation, with a capacity of five million tonnes, to the world from Lake Assal, one of the lowest spots in the world. The Port, which has been under construction for the last two years at a […]
Djibouti Plays the West Off Against the Far East
China recently established a military base in Djibouti. Little is known about the base except that it may have capacity to house up to 10 000 troops. The military base has attracted much international attention, with little understanding of either Djibouti or China’s motives. Turning 40 years old on 27 June, Djibouti – which has […]
With Qatari forces gone, tension rises between Djibouti and Eritrea
The African Union is calling for calm as border tensions between Djibouti and Eritrea intensify. The rising threat of unrest is further fallout from the diplomatic crisis embroiling Qatar. A decades-long border dispute in the Doumeira region that, on occasion, had turned violent, was dampened in 2010 when the two sides agreed to let Qatar […]
Intergovernmental Authority on Development and Why Regional Integration in Africa Is Desirable
Unexpectedly, I received volumes of comments, questions and compliments in response to a piece published in this column earlier in the month. The vast majority of comments indicated that most of us are not aware of the happenings in the Horn of Africa. I was left puzzled that some people did not know that Sudan, […]
Rwanda’s Kagame Tells Djibouti ‘African Unity Not Theory’
President Paul Kagame has said that African unity is the most practical way for the continent to reach its potential and to make the most of globalisation. President Kagame made the remarks in Djibouti yesterday while addressing the country’s parliament and cabinet on the last day of his two-day official visit. Kagame told the lawmakers […]
Ethiopia, Djibouti Talks Bode Well for Horn Region
This week, prime minister Hailemariam Dessalegn had presented a six month performance assessment report of his government to the House of Peoples Representatives. Foreign relation and diplomacy were among the overarching themes. The kernel of the tasks in the diplomatic sphere were fighting out poverty and sparing the country the attendant ills of this carcinogenic […]
