By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
DJIBOUTI, July 17, 2026 – Djibouti and the European Union on Thursday signed a defence agreement establishing the legal framework for the EU's EUNAVFOR ASPIDES naval operation in the country, the state-run Djiboutian News Agency ( (ADI) reported.
The agreement, known as a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), was signed during an official visit to Djibouti by Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
Kallas held talks with Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, in the presence of acting Defence Minister Omar Abdi Said.
According to Djiboutian authorities, the discussions focused on the strategic partnership between Djibouti and the European Union, as well as regional and international issues, including maritime security, freedom of navigation and efforts to preserve peace and stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
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The SOFA establishes the legal framework governing the presence and activities of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES on Djiboutian territory, providing legal protections and operational arrangements for personnel participating in the mission.
The European Union launched Operation ASPIDES in February 2024 to help safeguard commercial shipping from attacks in the Red Sea, one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes, amid heightened regional security threats.
Djibouti and the European Union said the agreement reflected their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation on security, regional stability and development.