China-US Competition in Djibouti

 The Atlantic Council published on 31 July 2025 an analysis titled "Djibouti Is the Next Arena for US-China Competition in the Red Sea" by Emily Milliken.

The author asks how the US can maintain or strengthen its influence in Djibouti when China is providing billions for infrastructure development.  Greater US support for American investment, partnering with the UAE, encouraging the use of Israeli technology, and engaging the country with strategic clarity would improve Washington's position in Djibouti.

Is France Upping Its Game in the Horn of Africa?

 The Emirates Policy Center published on 17 February 2025 an analysis titled "Macron in Djibouti and Ethiopia: Is There Anything New in France's Approach to the Horn of Africa?"

As France struggles in West and Central Africa, it is trying to expand its influence in the Horn of Africa as witnessed by Emmanuel Macron's recent visit to Ethiopia and Djibouti.  So far, there is no clear indication of a major shift in France's approach to the Horn, where Paris focuses on security and economic engagement.  

Djibouti Parliamentary Elections: Free and Fair?

 The Associated Press published on 24 February 2023 an article titled "Djibouti Holds Parliamentary Vote Branded as Sham by Opposition."

Two political parties are contesting on 24 February seats in Djibouti's 65-member National Assembly.  The party of President Ismail Omar Guelleh is expected to win an overwhelming majority.  The principal opposition political parties are boycotting the election and charging that it will not be free and fair.  

Somalia Hosts Regional Leaders to Combat Al-Shabaab

 Aljazeera published on 1 February 2023 an article titled "Somalia Hosts Regional Summit to Discuss Fighting Al-Shabab."

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has assembled in Mogadishu the leaders of Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya to discuss a coordinated military offensive against the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab terrorist group.  

Djibouti-Egypt Discussions on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

 The Associated Press published on 7 February 2022 an article titled "Egypt, Djibouti Leaders Meet to Discuss Ties, Ethiopian Dam" by Samy Magdy.  

In the first visit to Djibouti by an Egyptian leader since Djibouti's independence, President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi focused on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Cooling of Djibouti-China Relations

 France 24 posted on 9 April 2021 a story titled "Djibouti-China Marriage 'Slowly Unravelling' as Investment Project Disappoints" by Sebastian Seibt.  

Djiboutian concerns about debt to China and the slowness of the Chinese-financed and built Djibouti to Addis Ababa railway to pay its way are causing the Djibouti-China relationship to cool down and open the door for countries like France.  

Djibouti's President Re-elected with 98.58 Percent of Vote

 Agence France-Presse published on 10 April 2021 an article titled "Veteran Ruler Guelleh Re-elected Djibouti Leader for Fifth Term."

Djibouti re-elected Ismail Omar Guelleh for a fifth term with 98.58 percent of the vote against a little known businessman.  The voting went smoothly.  Djibouti's main opposition parties boycotted the election.

Is Djibouti Relying Too Heavily on China?

Africa Times editorial board published on 31 March  2021 a commentary titled "Djibouti Increases Reliance on Beijing, But at What Cost?"

With elections fast approaching in Djibouti, President Ismail Omar Guelleh will likely emphasize vast loans and investment from China but the Africa Times editorial board suggests they "come at the expense of the entire country."

China-US Rivalry in Djibouti

 Future Directions International published on 9 February 2021 an analysis titled "Djibouti at a Crossroads: China's African Engagement and an Adversarial Beijing-Washington Relationship" by Karl Ragas.

The author argues that Djibouti is critical to China's long-term strategic interests.  Beijing will continue seeking to improve its relations with Djibouti given the country's economic and security value to China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Despite frictions between China and the United States concerning their respective military bases in Djibouti, the country presents a potential opportunity for Sino-American cooperation because instability and insecurity in the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean region are equally threatening to both.

Djibouti Is a Flashpoint for US-China Relations

 Bloomberg published on 26 February 2021 a commentary titled "Djibouti Is a Flashpoint in the US-China Cold War" by Hal Brands.

The author concludes that the United States and its European allies are still the security partners of choice for Djibouti and most African countries in spite of the inroads that China has made in recent years.

China Consolidates Its Economic Ties with Djibouti

 The Diplomat published on 26 January 2021 an analysis titled "China Consolidates Its Commercial Foothold in Djibouti" by Mordechai Chaziza, Ashkelon Academic College, Israel.  

The author argues that China has expanded relations with Djibouti primarily through growing economic ties under the Belt and Road Initiative.  Furthermore, China's investments in Djibouti are a microcosm of how it has gained an economic foothold across Africa.  

China, Djibouti, and Agency

 The South African Institute of International Affairs published in October 2020 a study titled "African Agency and Chinese Power: The Case of Djibouti" by Jean-Pierre Cabestan.

Djibouti has moved closer to China joining Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative and triggering growing concerns among its Western partners, especially France and the United States.  But Djibouti has tried to maintain a balance between the two sides and recently demonstrated its willingness to limit China's influence by diversifying its sources of funding and economic partnerships. Because of its strategic location and political balancing act, Djibouti still exerts some agency in its relations with external powers, including China.  

Chinese and Dubai Companies Battle To Operate Djiboutian Port

Quartz Africa posted on 28 February 2019 an article titled "A Legal Tussle Over a Strategic African Port Sets Up a Challenge for China's Belt and Road Plan" by Abdi Latif Dahir.

Dubai's DP World until recently operated Djibouti's Doraleh Container Terminal. A year ago, Djibouti seized control of the port from DP World. China Merchants Port Holdings, the Hong Kong-based subsidiary of the state-owned conglomerate, China Merchants Group, held a 23.5 percent stake in the port and has been given increased operational authority by Djibouti over the port. The issue is now in a Hong Kong court but the dispute raises questions about the ultimate intentions of this Chinese company and control of the port.

Chinese Company Taken to Court over Djibouti Port Project

Factwire posted on 12 February 2019 an article titled "Legal Battle for Control of Djibouti Ports Comes to Hong Kong."

China Merchant and Port Holdings has been accused of infringing a port agreement of the United Arab Emirates' DP World with Djibouti. The case will be heard in Hong Kong and offers an example of the legal risk that Chinese companies face as they pursue the Belt and Road Initiative.

China Challenges US in Djibouti

The Washington Post published on 27 September 2018 a commentary titled "China Challenging the U.S. in the Horn of Africa--and Washington Is Silent" by Josh Rogin.

The author argues that as China builds up its military presence in Djibouti, where the United States also has a military base, the US government "so far, seems unwilling or unable to confront the problem."

How Djibouti Became China's Gateway to Africa

Spiegel Online posted on 8 February 2018 an article titled "How Djibouti Became China's Gateway to Africa" by Dietmar Pieper.

The author suggests that Djibouti is fast becoming China's gateway to Africa. It is establishing China's first overseas military base and constructing Africa's largest free trade zone in Djibouti. The country is serving as a laboratory for the global shift in power from the West to the East.

Djibouti Steps Up Ties with China

The South China Morning Post published on 21 November 2017 an article titled "From Rail and Airports To Its First Overseas Naval Base, China Zeroes in on Tiny Djibouti" by Kinling Lo.

Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh is making a state visit to China this week. This follows the signing last week of a memorandum of understanding with a Chinese company to invest $4 billion in a natural gas project to build a liquefaction plant and pipeline that will bring gas from Ethiopia's Ogaden region to Djibouti for export. China has other major infrastructure projects in Djibouti that include an airport, port, free trade zone, railway to Addis Ababa, and a military base.

Djibouti Hopes to Replicate Singapore

Gulf News published on 22 July 2017 an article titled "Africa's Singapore Is Slowly Taking Shape" by Bashir Goth, commentator on African affairs.

The author argues that Djibouti's strategic location accounts for its massive infrastructure projects, mainly from China, and interest by other countries such as the United States. Suggesting that Djibouti will one day reach the developmental level of Singapore, however, seems a stretch.

China Becoming Primary Supporter of Djibouti

World Politics Review published on 23 June 2017 an analysis titled "Is China Really Willing to Shoulder Risks of its Djibouti Foray?" by Cameron Reed, research assistant on the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.

China is completing a military facility in and has become Djibouti's biggest investor. It holds billions of dollars in loans to Djibouti while Djibouti faces growing human rights challenges. Although the United States, France and Japan also have military bases in Djibouti, China is assuming the role of President Ismail Omar Guelleh's primary protector.

Djibouti: Interview with President Guelleh (in French)

Jeune Afrique published on 4 April 2017 a long and fascinating interview titled "Ismail Omar Guelleh: Personne d'autre que les Chinois n'offre an partenariat a long terme a Djibouti" that covers relations with key countries and internal developments.

France, the US, Japan and now China all have military bases in Djibouti. President Guelleh discusses the challenges these bases pose for Djiboutian relations with these and other countries. The president is especially positive about Djiboutian relations with China, commenting that "the reality is that no one but the Chinese offers a long-term partnership in Djibouti."