By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Djibouti, 1 February 2026 High-level U.S. officials met with Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh on Saturday to reaffirm strategic partnership amid rising tensions in the Red Sea.
The delegation, led by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and the Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin Anderson, held talks at the Palace of the Republic focused on counter-terrorism and maritime security.
"The fight against terrorism and maritime piracy, and securing the Red Sea — a neuralgic corridor for global maritime trade — are major themes where our two countries maintain synergistic collaboration," Landau said following the meeting.
The visit underscores the strategic importance of Djibouti, which hosts Camp Lemonnier, the only permanent U.S. military base in Africa. The tiny Horn of Africa nation has become a focal point for Western and regional powers as Houthi militants in neighbouring Yemen continue to launch drone and missile strikes against commercial vessels.
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General Anderson noted that the opening of the Maryama site, a combined training base, was "emblematic" of the more than 20 years of military cooperation between the two nations.
"It’s important for all the partners here to work together to help stabilize the region and address the common threats, especially terrorism from ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Al-Shabaab," Anderson said.
Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Houssein Omar described the discussions as constructive, noting that the leaders touched on a broad range of diplomatic and security interests.
The Horn of Africa is currently grappling with multiple crises, including the civil war in Sudan and heightened geopolitical competition. Djibouti, located at the Bab al-Mandab Strait where nearly 12 per cent of global trade passes, remains a critical hub for U.S. logistics and intelligence operations in East Africa and the Middle East.
