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AFRICOM Commander joins SecDef in meeting with Djibouti's president

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and U.S. Africa Command Commander Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser meet with Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh at his presidential palace in Djibouti City, Djibouti, April 23, 2017. (DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

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Photo by: Capt. Jen Dyrcz 

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command joined U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis during a meeting with President Ismael Omar Guelleh on April 23 to discuss U.S. - Djibouti security partnership.  In an exclusive statement to Radio Television Djibouti, Secretary Mattis confirmed he had a good meeting with the President, discussing a wide range of bilateral issues.

"Our two countries enjoy an excellent relationship, centered on security cooperation and activities that benefit the economy and welfare of both peoples.  The United States contributes more than $140 million to the Djiboutian economy each year and is one of the largest employers, employing more than 2,500 Djiboutian at the U.S. military installation Camp Lemonnier and U.S. Embassy," said Mattis.

The Secretary of Defense and U.S. Africa Combatant Commander completed their trip with a press conference on Camp Lemonnier attended by Djiboutian, French and U.S. press where they discussed the U.S.'s commitment to Libyan security and support to the Federal Government of Somalia and the strategic value of having a joint operational military base in Djibouti.

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