French President Emmanuel Macron and Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh agreed Wednesday to renew their defence partnership after two years of negotiations.
The agreement marks an “ambitious reform” of their Defence Cooperation Treaty.
The accord, signed at Macron’s office, governs the 1,500 French troops stationed in Djibouti.
This East African country is strategically important, located opposite Yemen near the Red Sea’s opening, a crucial global trade route.
Despite recent closures of French military bases in Mali and Niger due to coups, France remains committed to Djibouti, home to its largest permanent overseas base.
Discussions were delayed by Djibouti’s demands for higher rent payments from France.
The defence agreement, initially signed in 1977 when Djibouti gained independence from France, was renewed in 2011.
However, France began paying rent only in 2003 after the US established a base there.
This renewed partnership underscores Djibouti’s strategic significance in global trade and military positioning, ensuring continued French military presence in the region.
