Addis Standard
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#Djibouti’s President accuses #UAE of using African investments as military cover
President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of Djibouti has issued a sharp rebuke of the United Arab Emirates, accusing the Gulf state of leveraging its multibillion-dollar investments in Africa as a veil for military expansion.
In a recent interview with Radio France Internationale, President Guelleh characterized the UAE’s $110 billion investment campaign across the continent as a strategic maneuver to extend military reach under the guise of economic development.
“The Emiratis are deeply destabilising for the region,” he said.
The President’s remarks signal growing unease in parts of Africa over the dual-use nature of foreign investments, particularly in critical infrastructure sectors such as ports, logistics, and telecommunications.
“These investments are not purely economic ventures,” he said. “They are intertwined with military objectives that risk compromising the sovereignty and stability of African nations.”
He revealed that Djibouti had previously denied a request from the UAE to establish a military base on its territory.
Following the rejection, he said, the UAE redirected its efforts to neighboring countries, seeking strategic footholds along key maritime routes.
Djibouti, situated at the mouth of the Red Sea, hosts military bases from several global powers, including the United States, France, China, and Japan.
https://alleastafrica.com/djiboutis-pre ... ary-cover/