United Nations General Assembly / Djibouti : News and events

The President of the Republic continues his participation in the United Nations General Assembly meetings. He’s also in talks with leaders on the sidelines of this meeting.

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The President of the Republic His Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh continues on his participation in the Annual Conference of the United Nations, which runs from September 21 to 27 in New York, USA. Several subjects such as a status of member country to Palestine in the UN system are on the discussions agenda at this meeting, which is attended by over 120 Heads of State and Government.

But acquiring the status of a UN member country, including the non-opposition of a permanent member of the Security Council, Palestine is likely to be dismissed because the United States have expressed their intention to veto the request.

However, whatever the outcome on this request, Palestine has won a diplomatic victory since a large majority of UN member countries is favourable to its full integration in the UN system.

Perhaps this legitimacy has value, as shown by France represented to this 66th UN General Assembly by its President, Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy who encourages UN to grant observer status to Palestine. The Republic of Djibouti is among the UN member countries largely supporting the acquisition of a status of full member to Palestine in the UN system.

Apart from the Annual Conference activities, the Djiboutian Head of State also spoke aside with many of his counterparts present on the American soil as well as other prominent figures, heads of national, regional, continental and international levels. The first of these officials with whom the President of the Republic met is Mr. Jean Ping, Chairman of the African Union Commission.

During the meeting held at the residence occupied by the Djiboutian President, in Astoria Worldoff Hotel, discussions between the Head of State and Mr. Jean Ping have essentially focused on the African continent situation, including Somalia and the current state of security in that country. Mr. Jean Ping took the opportunity of this meeting to pay tribute to President of Djibouti for his continuing commitment for the restoration of lasting peace in Somalia.

The two leaders then showed a convergence of views as to whether an inclusive political process, involving all this country’s sensitivities, is essential to achieving inter-Somali genuine reconciliation.

Libya was also discussed in talks between President of the Republic and the President of the AU Commission. In that same day of September 22, the President of the Republic His Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh received in audience in his residence, a high-level U.S. delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Ms. Wendy Sherman. During this interview, Ms. Sherman first transmitted to the President of the Republic a message from U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, who asked to relay "the thanks of the American Government to His Excellency for he provides constantly valuable assistance to the United States. "

"The U.S. Secretary of State also charged me to share the prestige that you enjoy with the U.S. Government under continuous efforts you deploy to stabilize the East African region," said Ms. Sherman.

The discussion focused to the friendly and cooperation relations between the two countries and two peoples and the ways and means to promote and develop them further. The Republic of Djibouti and the United States pursue strategic partnerships, particularly in the military.

In this part, Djibouti and the United States enjoy a privileged collaboration in several areas such as the fight against international terrorism and the regulation of maritime piracy off the coast of Somalia and the Indian Ocean.

The Republic of Djibouti is the only African country to host a permanent U.S. military base. During the meeting, the President of the Republic has welcomed many of the quality of military cooperation between the two countries and called for the launch of more civilian cooperation between the two countries.

Apart from bilateral relations, discussions between the Djiboutian Head of State and the U.S. delegation led by Deputy U.S. Secretary of State, Head of Political Affairs, focused on the situation in the sub-region, including Somaliland and Yemen. The drought prevailing these days in East Africa especially in Somalia was also mentioned during the interview.

The Assistant Secretary of State, Ms. Wendy Sherman accounts as the 3rd Personality in the U.S. State Department, led by Hilary Clinton. The large accompanying delegation comprised of prominent Americans of high-level, such as Johnny Carson, in charge of Sub-Saharan Africa within the U.S. State Department.

On Thursday night, the President of the Republic is invited to attend a dinner to be hosted by the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. On Friday, September 23rd, His Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh will deliver a major speech in the UN General Assembly.

The border dispute with Eritrea, drought prevailing in the sub-region, Somalia and Palestine will, in other matters be raised by the President of the Republic in his speech at the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

A high level delegation including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Health, Ali Yacoub Mahamoud, Ambassador of Djibouti to the United States and Permanent Representative of Djibouti to the UN, Robleh Olhaye and the Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Djibouti to the United Nations in Geneva, Mohamed-Siad Doualeh, accompany the Head of State as part of this official trip to New York.