Macron champions France's military role in Djibouti as key to Indo-Pacific strategy

RFI

21 December 2024 at 1:04 pm·1-min read

President Ismail Omar Guelleh with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Djibouti, Friday 20 December 2024.

French President Emmanuel Macron has highlighted the significance of France's military base in Djibouti as essential to its Indo-Pacific strategy during a stop-over visit to the country, where he met with Djiboutian President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh.

President Macron has stressed the importance of France's military presence in Djibouti for the development of its strategy in the Indo-Pacific region on Saturday during a meeting with his Djiboutian counterpart Ismaïl Omar Guelleh.

"[France's] presence in Djibouti ... is also geared towards the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific, and our reaffirmed Indo-Pacific strategy, consolidated since the spring of 2018, could not be achieved without the French forces in Djibouti," Macron said during the visit, where he also visited French troops based there.

At a time when France has been forced to withdraw its troops from several African countries – particularly in the Sahel – the French president emphasised Djibouti's unique position.

Djibouti’s veteran leader in Paris for talks on France’s military base

"We wanted to develop our model where, in many countries, we had established historical foundations. We wanted to rethink it," he declared.

The Indo-Pacific covers a vast area of Asia and Oceania, including major emerging powers such as India and China.

Australian Associated Press
Daniel Sams' BBL season over as new injury emerges
The concussion Daniel Sams suffered in a horror head clash appeared to threaten his BBL season, but the allrounder has been ruled out with a new injury.
Australian Associated Press
Australia hopeful as Gaza ceasefire deal within reach
A ceasefire deal in Gaza that would result in the release of Israeli hostages is nearing completion as a humanitarian crisis in the strip continues.
Australian Associated Press
Arrest warrant executed against South Korea president
An arrest warrant has been issued for South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol, who failed to show for his impeachment trial.
Australian Associated Press
Aussie Chelsea striker Sam Kerr faces court in London
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has appeared in a London court to set a date for her police officer harassment trial.
Australian Associated Press
LA firefighters holding the line despite extreme winds
The Los Angeles wildfires are increasingly under control, thanks to fire crews who are holding the line.
Australian Associated Press
Michelle Obama to skip Trump inauguration
Former first lady Michelle Obama will not join her husband, former president Barack Obama, at Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration.
Australian Associated Press
Kate 'relieved' to be in remission from cancer
The Princess of Wales has announced she is in remission from cancer after a visit to the hospital where she was treated and of which she has become patron.
Australian Associated Press
Arsenal's Jesus out with ACL while Villa sign Malen
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus will be sidelined for the rest of the season with a knee injury while rivals Aston Villa strengthen by signing Donyell Malen.
Australian Associated Press
Injured Kokkinakis and Draper set for Open showdown
Thanasi Kokkinakis and Great Britain's 15th seed Jack Draper have had three tight tussles, with their rivalry resuming in round two of the Australian Open.
Australian Associated Press
Sanders edges closer to rare Aussie Dakar Rally triumph
Daniel Sanders has extended his lead in the Dakar Rally after his main rival crashed on stage nine allowing the Australian to move nearly 15 minutes clear.
Australian Associated Press
Surprising group take on new life out on the open road
Older women are navigating expansive landscapes across Australia, finding new self-confidence and experiencing better overall wellbeing as a result.
Australian Associated Press
Albanese looks to infrastructure on Tasmanian road trip
Senior ministers and Labor candidates will join Anthony Albanese for a number of infrastructure announcements around the Apple Isle.
Australian Associated Press
King does Warne proud as Wareham prepares for T20s
Australia's Alana King has been the player of the women's Ashes so far, but the star spinner is still unlikely to keep her spot for the T20 part of the series.
Australian Associated Press
PM, state leaders meet as anti-Semitism pressure rises
As two major Australian states continue to deal with anti-Semitic incidents, three prominent politicians have met with federal police to plot a response.
Australian Associated Press
Dozens dead, 82 rescued from illegal SAfrican gold mine
Dozens of dead bodies have been pulled from the illegal South African gold mine that police laid siege to five months ago.
Australian Associated Press
Romania lifts house arrest of influencer Andrew Tate
Contentious internet personality Andrew Tate is no longer under house arrest, allowing him freedom of movement, so long as he "checks in" regularly with police.
Australian Associated Press
England surprise as Itoje made captain for Six Nations
Eddie Jones thought Maro Itoje was too "inward-looking" to captain England but the Australian's successor as coach has made him skipper for the Six Nations.
Australian Associated Press
Wallaby Hooper leaves Brumbies to play for English club
Brumbies' Wallaby back-row forward Tom Hooper is heading for England, but hopes to come back to Australia "an older, more experienced player down the track".
Australian Associated Press
Wanderers deny Glory, close in on ALM top six
An early own goal has set the tone for Perth Glory, whose hopes of rare back-to-back home wins were dashed in a 2-1 loss to Western Sydney
Australian Associated Press
Injury-affected Popyrin crashes out of Open
An injury-affected Alexei Popyrin has crashed out of the Australian Open in the first round, slumping to defeat at the hands of Frenchman Corentin Moutet.

Latest stories