By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
DJIBOUTI, July 15 2026 – Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh on Tuesday congratulated French President Emmanuel Macron on France's National Day, reaffirming the longstanding partnership and highlighting cooperation in defence and security.
In his message marking Bastille Day, Guelleh conveyed his wishes for Macron's success and extended greetings to the French people on behalf of the government and people of Djibouti, according to a statement from the Djiboutian presidency.
Guelleh described July 14 as a celebration of universal values, saying it symbolized the triumph of freedom over oppression and dictatorship.
He also praised what he called the strong and enduring relationship between Djibouti and France, saying bilateral ties spanned a wide range of sectors and were underpinned by longstanding solidarity.
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"The privileged nature of Franco-Djiboutian relations reflects the enduring solidarity that characterizes our two countries," Guelleh said, highlighting cooperation in defence and security.
France has maintained a military presence in Djibouti since the country gained independence in 1977, with the two countries cooperating closely on regional security, defence, economic development and education under a longstanding strategic partnership.
Djibouti hosts France's largest permanent military base in Africa, reflecting the Horn of Africa nation's strategic location along one of the world's busiest maritime routes and its role as a key security partner for Paris in the region.