Djibouti says US has no need to worry about Chinese port deal
It’s ‘ridiculous’ to imagine China could restrict or deny US access to Doraleh terminal because of the agreement, according to finance minister
Djibouti’s government will embrace greater Chinese involvement in the nation’s ports and sees no reasons for US concern that its strategic interests may be threatened, Finance Minister Ilyas Dawaleh said.
Situated on a global shipping choke-point that links the Red Sea and Suez Canal, Djibouti has become increasingly important to regional and world powers. Smaller than the state of Massachusetts, it hosts the largest US military base in Africa and China’s first such overseas facility, which was inaugurated in August, also in the Doraleh area.
The Horn of Africa country is embroiled in a dispute with DP World over the running of the Doraleh Container Terminal and has struck a deal to boost cargo trade with a company working with Chinese state-owned enterprises. It would be “ridiculous” to imagine that China could restrict or deny US access to Doraleh as a result of the deal, Dawaleh said.
“Djibouti’s development needs all its friends and strategic partners,” he said. “At the same time, no one can dictate to us who we should deal with.”
US Africa Command General Thomas Waldhauser warned last week that a Chinese takeover of Doraleh could have “significant” consequences if there were restrictions on the US’ ability to use the facility.