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By Zamzam Osman - Reporter
Djibouti, 31 January 2026 Djibouti and France have agreed to strengthen their defence cooperation, following high-level military talks in Djibouti on Thursday, according to Djibouti News Agency.
Djibouti’s Defence Minister Hassan Omar Mohamed and Commander-in-Chief of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Sheikh Ibrahim met on Friday with Chief of Defence Staff of the Armed Forces of France, General Fabien Mandon to discuss strategic collaboration and regional security.
The talks focused on modernizing bilateral defence ties, including joint training exercises and intelligence sharing. France maintains about 1,500 troops in Djibouti, which hosts its largest military base in Africa.
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During the visit, General Mandon was awarded Djibouti’s highest military honour, the Grand Star of Djibouti, in recognition of the long-standing friendship and close cooperation between the two militaries.
The meeting follows the 2024 renewal of a bilateral defence treaty extending France’s military presence in Djibouti through 2045. The updated agreement includes an increase in France’s annual financial contribution to €85 million ($92 million) and plans to return certain military-held areas, such as Héron islet, to Djiboutian control by late 2026.
Earlier this week, French and Djiboutian forces conducted joint drills in the Koron and Grand Bara regions to enhance air and land coordination.
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