Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 23:07:33 +0200
On 'China's rising influence in Djibouti [which] is causing a souring in the
African nation's relations with the West'
by <http://foreignpolicyblogs.com/author/admin/> FPA Administrator |
on October 24th, 2014 |
<http://foreignpolicyblogs.com/2014/10/24/on-chinas-rising-influence-in-djib
outi-which-is-causing-a-souring-in-the-african-nations-relations-with-the-we
st/#comments> 0 comments
Djibouti has strong relationships with a wide range of governments and
international organizations in matters relating to economic and social
development and regional security. This includes various partnerships with
countries such as the U.S., EU and GCC nations, Japan and China, and with
international organizations such as NATO, the World Bank and the U.N.
Djibouti has had diplomatic ties with China for 35 years and it is natural
that the country has continued to build its relationship the world's largest
economy over recent years. They are an important investor in Djibouti and
across the region, and as well as investing in key infrastructure and other
sectors such as energy and agriculture, they have also committed to
supporting a number the country's education and healthcare development
initiatives. They have also deployed anti-piracy task forces to the Gulf of
Aden since 2008.
Furthermore, in March 2014, the U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice
thanked the country for its leadership on a range of issues, including
countering terrorism and piracy, and responding to humanitarian emergencies.
President Obama reiterated this message in his meeting with Djibouti's
President Guelleh in May 2014, particularly focusing on Djibouti's role in
supporting Somalia.
The government of Djibouti is committed to continuing to work with a wide
range of international partners to attract inward investment and maintain
regional stability.
On "authoritarian President Ismail Omar Guelleh purging political opponents"
The International Election Observer Mission, including representatives from
the African Union, declared 2011's presidential election as peaceful, fair
and transparent. In 2012, the opposition in Djibouti won local elections for
the first time and currently control two of the three municipal councils in
the city of Djibouti. Parliamentary elections in February 2013 marked a new
milestone in the strengthening of Djibouti's democracy, with the
introduction of a semi-proportional electoral system to ensure broader
political representation. The four international observation missions as
well as major Western embassies, including the U.S. and France, all
concluded that the elections were peaceful, free and fair. Negotiations are
ongoing at the moment with the opposition to encourage them to take up their
seats in parliament and participate in the democratic system, for the good
of the people of Djibouti.
With regards to issues relating to the Doraleh Container Terminal, in 2002
the Government of Djibouti created the Djibouti Port and Free Zone Authority
(the DPFZA) to oversee and supervise all port facilities. In 2003, the
Government appointed Abdourahman Boreh, a Djiboutian businessman, as
Chairman of the DPFZA.
During his time as Chairman between 2003 and 2008, Mr. Boreh obtained
significant shareholdings in several of the projects; awarded construction,
security, and other service contracts on these projects to companies he
owned; and demanded commissions from other individuals and companies
involved in the projects.
Mr. Boreh left the country to avoid his significant tax liabilities. He was
never a true presidential candidate, being ineligible as he holds dual
Djibouti and French nationality, and never a political figure. He was
subsequently convicted in Djibouti for tax evasion, fraudulent insolvency,
and related criminal offences. After the government learned of Mr. Boreh's
illegal activities, it launched a wider investigation, leading to a claim
being commenced in the Commercial Court in London in 2012.
The government's continued investigations revealed evidence indicating that
DP World paid bribes and gave other financial incentives to Mr. Boreh while
he was a negotiating the Doraleh Container Terminal Concession Agreement
with DP World, as well as afterwards. Mr. Boreh had been appointed as the
government representative in those negotiations to protect Djibouti's
interests. The resulting agreement unfairly favored DP World.
Although the government of Djibouti sought to resolve the matter through
direct discussions, negotiations broke down, leaving Djibouti with no choice
but to request arbitration to declare the Concession Agreement and related
project documents rescinded for illegality and corruption. This arbitration
process is ongoing. Pending the outcome of the arbitration being heard in
London, DP World is continuing to run the facility.
U.S._Defense_Secretary_Chuck_Hagel,_right,_greets_Djiboutian_President_Ismai
l_Omar_Guelleh_before_an_honor_cordon_at_the_Pentagon,_May_7,_2014_140507-D-
BBW835-005a
The following is a response by the government of Djibouti to the Oct. 17,
2014 post
<http://foreignpolicyblogs.com/2014/10/17/chinas-war-for-africas-hearts-and-
minds/> "China's war for Africa's hearts and minds"
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