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Djibouti: President Guelleh Set to Run for Fifth Term
Nation, 1 April 2021
The long-time president of Djibouti, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, has launched his re-election campaign in the run-up to national elections on 9 April. Read more »
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Djibouti: Al-Shabaab Issues Threats Ahead of Elections in Djibouti
VOA, 28 March 2021
The leader of Somalia's al-Shabab militant group is calling for lone wolf attacks against American and French interests in Djibouti ahead of key presidential elections in the Horn… Read more »
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Djibouti: United States Delivers HMMWVS to Armed Forces of Djibouti
Africom, 11 January 2020
The United States delivered 54 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, known as the Humvee, to the Armed Forces of Djibouti (FAD) for use by its Rapid Intervention Battalion… Read more »
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Djibouti: U.S. Relations With Djibouti
State Department, 27 August 2020
More information about Djibouti is available on the Djibouti Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet. Read more »
Al-Shabaab Makes Threats Ahead of Djibouti Election
Ahmed Omar Abu Ubaidah, the leader of Al-Shabaab militants based in Somalia, is calling for attacks against American and French interests in Djibouti before key presidential elections on April 9, 2021. The Al-Shabaab leader accuses the Djibouti government of "turning the country into a military base from where every war against the Muslims in East Africa is planned". The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), which has a base in Djibouti, says it is aware of the recent threats. The U.S. military has also been conducting airstrikes against Al-Shabaab but there have been no confirmed strikes since U.S. President Joe Biden took office. Earlier this month, Somali military officials expressed concern at the reduction of airstrikes, which they fear could give the militant group additional momentum. Djibouti voters go to the polls where incumbent Ismail Omar Guelleh is seeking a fifth term in office.
InFocus
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Extremist groups operating in East Africa, including Al-Shabaab, Ansar al-Sunna and the Islamic State, are taking advantage of the gaps in the region's maritime security. These ... Read more »
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Attacks by suspected Al-Shabaab fighters that has reportedly left death and destruction in Mandera County, has raised questions about preparedness to fight terror ... Read more »
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Al-Shabaab continues to pursue its goal of installing itself in power. To achieve this, it aims to overthrow the western-backed Somali government and eject foreign forces from the ... Read more »
U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, meets with Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on November 26, 2020. Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Omar Abu Ubaidah accuses the Djibouti government of "turning the country into a military base from where every war against the Muslims in East Africa is planned".
