French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of Djibouti as a key strategic partner, highlighting the evolving role of France’s military base in the Horn of Africa nation. Speaking to French troops stationed there, Macron stressed the need to adapt France’s military presence to reflect shifting geopolitical dynamics in Africa.
In recent years, France has faced significant setbacks in its influence across Africa, being expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where military-led governments have opted for alliances with other global powers, including Russia. These changes have left Djibouti as the only African nation firmly under French influence, positioning it as a vital anchor for France’s regional and global strategy.
Under a newly renewed defense cooperation agreement, France has committed to strengthening its ties with Djibouti through major infrastructure projects. Plans include the establishment of a space agency and the construction of two new airports, aimed at enhancing Djibouti’s connectivity and strategic significance. Macron also underscored Djibouti’s critical role in France’s Indo-Pacific strategy, contributing to navigation freedom in the Red Sea and serving as a hub for future African missions.
The French military base in Djibouti, hosting 1,500 soldiers, is France’s largest military contingent abroad and remains untouched by the widespread troop withdrawals in other African nations. In addition to its military presence, France retains responsibility for patrolling Djibouti’s airspace, a duty formalized in their renewed cooperation agreement.
Macron praised Djibouti’s relative stability, contrasting it with conflict-affected regions such as Yemen across the Red Sea. He emphasized that France’s military presence in Djibouti must evolve to meet the changing needs of both nations, reflecting new realities in Africa and beyond.
During his visit, Macron also dined with the troops as part of a traditional Christmas celebration, reaffirming his commitment to maintaining close ties with French forces stationed overseas. This visit showcased France’s strategic pivot to Djibouti as it seeks to reinforce its presence and influence in the region through defense, infrastructure, and diplomacy.