ATTENTION EDITORS – CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA
OSINT Reports hint China is mulling setting up a maritime and ground forces base in Djibouti, a horn of Africa country.
Djibouti borders Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia. Intelligence reports show China seeks a grater role to regional peace and stability through the base.
Most interesting is the fact that Djibouti is home to one of United States largest foreign onshore aerial vehicles and counter-terrorism drone program, Camp Lemonnier.
China has been building navy supply bases overseas for the anti-piracy fight mainly in East Africa.
Camp Lemonnier is a United States Naval Expeditionary Base, and the only permanent military base in Africa.
The base is situated at Djibouti -Ambouli International Airport. Camp Lemonnier is the centerpiece of a network of around six U.S. drone and surveillance bases stretching across the continent
China military base in Djibouti project is motivated by China’s growing presence in East Africa.
Beijing influence in East and beyond Central Africa is significant and protecting its assets and business interests such as oil and construction industry investments across Africa is dire.
Djibouti President Ismael Omar Gulleh has been quoted acknowledging that talks were underway and if consensus was reached, China would be allowed to set up a base there.
The United States has not made comments about the Chinese military base project.
