The Pentagon has long been concerned about the possibility that the Chinese government could one day attempt to take over the disputed territory of Djibouti, located in the Horn of Africa. In recent years, those concerns have only grown as Beijing has increased its economic and military presence in the country.
Now, the Pentagon is considering a plan to transfer control of a key military installation in Djibouti from the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), a move that would be seen as a direct response to China’s growing influence in the region.
Djibouti is home to Camp Lemonnier, the only permanent U.S. military base in Africa. The camp is considered a critical asset for AFRICOM, as it provides a launchpad for operations against terrorist groups in the region, including al-Shabab in Somalia and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
The proposed transfer of control would be a significant shift in the U.S. military’s posture in Africa. For INDOPACOM, which is responsible for overseeing military operations in the vast Indo-Pacific region, Camp Lemonnier would be a valuable asset in its efforts to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
The Pentagon is reportedly concerned that the Chinese government could one day attempt to force the U.S. out of Camp Lemonnier, as it has done with other foreign military bases in the country. In 2018, Beijing forced the closure of a naval base in Djibouti that was operated by the tiny African nation of Eritrea.
The U.S. has been working to counter China’s influence in Djibouti, including by increasing its own military presence in the country. In 2017, the U.S. signed a new lease for Camp Lemonnier that will keep the base in operation until 2044.
The Pentagon is also reportedly considering plans to build a new, larger military base in Djibouti that would be able to accommodate more personnel and equipment. The new base would be located near the international airport, which is currently being upgraded by the Chinese government.
The Pentagon’s plan to transfer control of Camp Lemonnier from AFRICOM to INDOPACOM is still in the early stages, and it is unclear when or if the transfer will actually take place. However, the fact that the Pentagon is even considering such a move is a clear sign of the growing concern about China’s presence in Djibouti.
Background
The Horn of Africa is a region of great strategic importance, located at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian Ocean. The region is home to key shipping routes and is home to a number of important military bases.
Djibouti is a small country located in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia. The country has a population of about 913,000 people, and its capital city is Djibouti.
Djibouti has been a key strategic location for the United States military since the 9/11 attacks. The country is home to Camp Lemonnier, the only permanent U.S. military base in Africa. The camp is considered a critical asset for AFRICOM, as it provides a launchpad for operations against terrorist groups in the region, including al-Shabab in Somalia and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
The U.S. has also used Djibouti as a base for drones and other intelligence-gathering assets. In 2014, the U.S. government reportedly spent $70 million to build a secret base in Djibouti that is used to launch drones.
Djibouti is also home to a number of other foreign military bases, including those operated by France, Japan, and China. The Chinese government has been increasing its military presence in the country in recent years, and in 2017, it opened its first overseas military base in Djibouti.
The Pentagon’s Plan
The Pentagon is considering a plan to transfer control of a key military installation in Djibouti from the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), a move that would be seen as a direct response to China’s growing influence in the region.
Djibouti is home to Camp Lemonnier, the only permanent U.S. military base in Africa. The camp is considered a critical asset for AFRICOM, as it provides a launchpad for operations against terrorist groups in the region, including al-Shabab in Somalia and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
The proposed transfer of control would be a significant shift in the U.S. military’s posture in Africa. For INDOPACOM, which is responsible for overseeing military operations in the vast Indo-Pacific region, Camp Lemonnier would be a valuable asset in its efforts to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
The Pentagon is reportedly concerned that the Chinese government could one day attempt to force the U.S. out of Camp Lemonnier, as it has done with other foreign military bases in the country. In 2018, Beijing forced the closure of a naval base in Djibouti that was operated by the tiny African nation of Eritrea.
The U.S. has been working to counter China’s influence in Djibouti, including by increasing its own military presence in the country. In 2017, the U.S. signed a new lease for Camp Lemonnier that will keep the base in operation until 2044.
The Pentagon is also reportedly considering plans to build a new, larger military base in Djibouti that would be able to accommodate more personnel and equipment. The new base would be located near the international airport, which is currently being upgraded by the Chinese government.
The Pentagon’s plan to transfer control of Camp Lemonnier from AFRICOM to INDOPACOM is still in the early stages, and it is unclear when or if the transfer will actually take place. However, the fact that the Pentagon is even considering such a move is a clear sign of the growing concern about China’s presence in Djibouti.
China’s Growing Influence in Djibouti
The Chinese government has been increasing its economic and military presence in Djibouti in recent years.
Beijing has invested heavily in Djibouti’s infrastructure, including the construction of a new international airport and a new Port of Doraleh. The Chinese government has also been upgrading the country’s roads and railways.
These infrastructure projects have been financed by Chinese loans, which Djibouti has been unable to repay. As a result, China now has de facto control of Djibouti’s main port and airport.
The Chinese government has also been increasing its military presence in Djibouti. In 2017, China opened its first overseas military base in the country. The base is located just a few miles from Camp Lemonnier.
The Chinese military has been carrying out a number of activities at the base, including the construction of new buildings and the deployment of vehicles and equipment. In 2018, Chinese soldiers were also seen carrying out patrols in Djibouti’s capital city.
The Chinese government has been increasingly assertive in its claims to disputed territory in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. The U.S. government has been alarmed by Beijing’s actions, and has been working to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Pentagon’s plan to transfer control of Camp Lemonnier from AFRICOM to INDOPACOM would be a direct response to China’s increasing presence in Djibouti. The move would signal that the U.S. is serious about countering Beijing’s influence in the region.
Conclusion
The Pentagon’s plan to transfer control of Camp Lemonnier from AFRICOM to INDOPACOM is a clear sign of the growing concern about China’s presence in Djibouti. The move would be a direct response to Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in the region, and would signal that the U.S. is serious about countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Related FAQs
- What is the Pentagon?
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. The building is located in Arlington County, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.
- What is the significance of Djibouti?
Djibouti is a small country located in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia. The country has a population of about 913,000 people, and its capital city is Djibouti.
Djibouti has been a key strategic location for the United States military since the 9/11 attacks. The country is home to Camp Lemonnier, the only permanent U.S. military base in Africa. The camp is considered a critical asset for AFRICOM, as it provides a launchpad for operations against terrorist groups in the region, including al-Shabab in Somalia and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
- What is the Pentagon’s plan?
The Pentagon is considering a plan to transfer control of a key military installation in Djibouti from the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), a move that would be seen as a direct response to China’s growing influence in the region.
- What is the significance of the transfer?
The proposed transfer of control would be a significant shift in the U.S. military’s posture in Africa. For INDOPACOM, which is responsible for overseeing military operations in the vast Indo-Pacific region, Camp Lemonnier would be a valuable asset in its efforts to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
- What is the Chinese government doing in Djibouti?
The Chinese government has been increasing its economic and military presence in Djibouti in recent years. Beijing has invested heavily in Djibouti’s infrastructure, including the construction of a new international airport and a new Port of Doraleh. The Chinese government has also been upgrading the country’s roads and railways.
These infrastructure projects have been financed by Chinese loans, which Djibouti has been unable to repay. As a result, China now has de facto control of Djibouti’s main port and airport.
The Chinese government has also been increasing its military presence in Djibouti. In 2017, China opened its first overseas military base in the country. The base is located just a few miles from Camp Lemonnier.
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Pentagon May Dji Interior Dept. Chinamade is a news article discussing the potential transfer of control of the U.S. military base in Djibouti from AFRICOM to INDOPACOM.
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Pentagon may dji interior chinamade is about the potential transfer of control of the U.S. military base in Djibouti from AFRICOM to INDOPACOM.
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Pentagon may dji interior jan.hill is about the potential transfer of control of the U.S. military base in Djibouti from AFRICOM to INDOPACOM.