PARIS - Nicolas Sarkozy and the President of Djibouti Ismael Omar Guelleh
signed in Paris on Wednesday a new treaty for cooperation in defense matters
which replaces the agreement signed in Djibouti after independence in 1977
reported the presidency.
It establishes, according to the Elysee, "the framework of bilateral
military cooperation" and said "the facilities granted to our operational
forces stationed" in Djibouti, the largest French military base abroad which
hosts nearly 3,000 soldiers.
This signature "demonstrates the commitment of both countries to close
cooperation in security," says the Presidency in a statement, noting that
"France is firmly committed to the independence and territorial integrity of
the Republic of Djibouti, strategically located in the heart of a fragile
area. "
This text is the sixth defense agreement renegotiated by France with a
country of its former "backyard" of Africa.
Nicolas Sarkozy promised in February 2008, while traveling in South Africa,
the renegotiation of all the secret documents of this type, accused of
having covered the French military interventions in favor of controversial
African regimes "friends", and their advertising.
Sarkozy and Guelleh also spoke of "strengthening bilateral cooperation," the
situation in Somalia and the fight against piracy off the Horn of Africa.
The statement from the Elysee did not say whether the two leaders also
discussed the Borrel case, that poisons relations between France and
Djibouti for many years.
The survey of French justice has long favored the theory of suicide, before
choosing, after new expertise, that of a murder in which some witnesses have
questioned Mr Guelleh and his entourage.
According to the testimony of a French soldier stationed in Djibouti at the
time of the facts revealed on Wednesday by France Culture, the French army
had been informed of the assassination of Judge Borrel shortly after his
death, through listening to the Djiboutian police .
Mr Guelleh, who is also the subject of a complaint filed in Paris for the
murder of two family members of an opponent, made no statement to the press
after his meeting with Mr Sarkozy.
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Received on Sat Dec 24 2011 - 10:22:51 EST