02/12/1999: EXCLUSIF : LE TEXTE DE L’ACCORD DJIBOUTO-ETHIOPIEN DE DEFENSE – ET SES CONSEQUENCES

2/12/1999 : TEXTE DE L’ACCORD DE COOPERATION MILITAIRE DJIBOUTO-ETHIOPIEN

Protocol on Milatary Co-operation between
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
And
The Government of the Republic of Djibouti

The government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Government of the Republic of Djibouti (hereinafter refered to as the Contracting Parties)

Reaffirming their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and being determined to foster African Unity in the spirit of the Charter of the Organization of African Unity.

Recognizing the long-standing and friendly relations between two countries.

Desirous to further strengthening the close and fraternal ties of friendship between them on the basis of sovereign equlity and murual interest.

Bearing in mind the importance of maintaining and lengthenind lasting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.

Rased on their common interest to promote the urgent need of cooperation in the military field.

Mindful of the Agreement between the Transitional Government of Ethiopia and the Government of Djibouti on Friendship and Cooperation signed on November 6, 1991.

Have agreed to conclude military cooperation based on the Principe of sovereign equality as follows :

Article 1 : The contracting Parties agree to consult each other and coopererate on the military and defense matters aimed at to further strengthening the overall friendly relations existing between their two countries.

Article 2 : The Contracting Parties undertake, upon request by either side, to provide in the form of the aid or on commercial basis, assitance to each other in the following logistical fields :
– maintenance, supply of spare parts and equipment for their air forces,
– supply of spare parts like pneumatic, batteries of troups

Article 8 : The Contracting Parties agree to constantly review progress made on the implementation of the present Protocol with a views to attaining their desire to conclude mutual defense agreement in the forescable future.

Article 9 : This Protocol shall come into force upon signature and shall be valid for an indefinite duration and may be terminated by either side at anytime by giving a 6 month notice.

Done in the city of Addis Abada this 2nd day of December, 1999 in the English and French languages both texts being equally authentic.

For the Government
of the Republic of Djibouti

For the Government of the Federal
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

___________________________________________________________________________

Note de l’ARDHD
Nous n’avons pas encore reçu la version française de cet accord. Comme il revêt une importance capitale, nous ne pouvons pas nous risquer à proposer une traduction en français qui serait effectuée par nos soins. Nous prions nos lecteurs de nous en excuser. Dès que possible nous publierons la traduction officielle en français.

Cet accord est extrêmement important.
Il officialise le soutien inconditionnel de l’Ethiopie au régime de M. Guelleh et la subordination de Djibouti à son grand frère. L »Ethiopie légitime sa participation à la guerre contre les résistants du FRUD dans le Nord. Les termes de la contrepartie qu’offre Djibouti ne sont pas explicites, mais tout laisse à penser que Djibouti perdra à terme une partie de sa souveraineté. Est-ce l’objectif de M. Guelleh, natif d’Ethiopie ?
Les djiboutiens ont-ils envie de devenir une province éthiopienne ?
M. Guelleh semble vouloir conduire le pays dans cette voie, manifestement contre la volonté populaire.

Il représente, pour la France qui soutient de façon absolue le dictateur djiboutien, un revers diplomatique de première importance. La France était censé garantir la sécurité de l’Etat djiboutien (parfois plus, puisqu’elle a apporté son soutien logisitique à l’AND dans un problème intérieur …)
La France semble être bafouée au terme de cet accord et elle pourrait avoir perdu tout son crédit.