Obama, Guelleh discuss security, development, education, health care in Djibouti

WASHINGTON, May 5 (KUNA) -- In addition to security cooperation, the US is "deeply interested" in working with Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh on development, education and health care issues, President Barack Obama said on Monday.
"We are extremely interested in regional issues, and we want to say how much we appreciate the work that Djibouti has done through AMISOM (the African Union Mission to Somalia) in Somalia, an area where there have been continuing, growing threats not only to the Somali people," Obama said during an Oval Office appearance with Guelleh.
But, he added, "Al-Shabab obviously has carried out operations throughout East Africa, and there is a significant presence of soldiers from Djibouti who are participating in the multinational force that has been able to push back al-Shabab's control over large portions of Somalia." Camp Lemonnier, the US drone and surveillance base in Djibouti, "is extraordinarily important not only to our work throughout the Horn of Africa but throughout the region," Obama said, describing it as a "critical facility." US officials will continue to engage with the government of Djibouti around issues related to human rights in the region, Obama said.
Human trafficking continues to be a concern, he said, and "there is an action plan that the government of Djibouti has put in place, and we want to find ways in which we can assist in implementing." Guelleh said the US-Djibouti relationship is a "strategic partnership.
"Our development policy in Djibouti is very much helped by the President in terms of, as he said himself, health care, education and, especially in our case, food security," Guelleh said. "And I think that what is important here is that the President has a vision for the development of Africa in general and for our region in particular.
"The fact that we welcomed the US forces in our country shows our support for international peace and for peace in our region as well," he added.
"As you know, Djibouti is not only taking part in AMISOM, but we are also present in Darfur, Cote d'Ivoire, western Sahara and soon enough in the Central African Republic. We do that all for peace in the world and, in particular, for peace in Africa," said Guelleh. (end) rm.bs