US defense chief meets Djibouti president, defense minister

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday met with Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh.

“Constructive meeting with the American Defense Secretary Mr. Lloyd Austin, to strengthen our partnership in defense, security and the fight against terrorism,” the Djibouti president said in a statement on X.

Austin, who arrived in Djibouti earlier in the day, also met with the country’s Defense Minister Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan and discussed efforts for regional stability.

He also paid a visit to US forces at Camp Lemonnier base in the country which he said is “critical” in the fight against violent extremism in the continent.

Marking his first trip to Africa as the defense secretary, Austin will also visit Kenya and Angola to reaffirm Washington’s commitment to the region and discuss “African-led solutions to mutual security challenges, and underscore the importance of our partnerships on the continent,” he said.

Djibouti is a small country in the Horn of Africa, bordering Somalia in the south and the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in the east.

The country holds strategic importance as France, Djibouti’s former colonizer, China and Japan also have military bases in the country.