Facts and logic refute Djibouti’s ambassador

It is a disappointing state of affairs when a true patriot’s reputation is attacked and tarnished officially.  His Excellency Ambassador Olhaye did just this when he decided to join what has become a counterproductive family feud of international proportions.  The longstanding feud between former Chairman of the Djibouti Port and Free Zone Authority (DPFZA)  Abdourahman Boreh and his cousin Djibouti President Guelleh is reminiscent of two bull elephants posturing themselves over territory.

The difference between these two bulls: one uses the armed power of government while contributing to the continued downfall of Djibouti; the other earns power and international admiration because of being instrumental in securing over $500 million in investments in the nation. 

{mosads}The arena in which these two bulls have waged their war of wills is a small but strategically-located nation at the mouth of the Red Sea. Djibouti has been a major gateway into the Middle East through its strategic ports which serve as an international shipping and refueling center.  It has also been a major recipient of U.S. assistance to promote good governance and regional security, and it has been supportive of U.S. interests and the fight against terrorism. This status changed when the current president issued a memo of agreement to allow the nation of Iran to establish a military base at one of the strategic ports.   This action will upset the delicate balance of power within the region and the global war on terror.   

The first bull elephant, His Excellency President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, has been President of Djibouti since 1999 when he was handpicked to succeed his uncle, Hassan Gouled Aptidon.  To avoid losing his grip over the people of Djibouti he changed the Constitution to allow himself to run for a third consecutive term.  This is yet another example of how he holds onto political power in Djibouti which ideally should be wielded to affect positive change for the many starving people in his small East African nation.  But to this date it has not.  He is extremely unpopular with the people of Djibouti not only because of his continued violence toward demonstrators and political activists, but because of the way he and his wife flaunt their wealth throughout the country. 

The same country, a former French colony, still suffers from extremely high infant and maternal mortality rates.  Infant mortality is 86 per 1000 live births (2006) and maternal mortality is 74 per 1000 births. Child mortality up to 5 years is 130 (2006). Life expectancy at birth actually fell during the period 1985 to 2003 from 46 to 44. These are some of the very worse rates on the entire planet and they are particularly tragic when one considers the relatively substantial per capita government income.  Djibouti also suffers from severe unemployment which is estimated to be between 65 and 70 percent. Over 70 percent of the population live in poverty and 42 percent live below the official poverty line. One would think that a president who would amend a constitution to allow him to run again would do so to avoid status quo and actually make proactive change.  So far the contrary has happened.   

The second bull elephant, Abdourahman Boreh, who has had his reputation attacked officially has been a n agent for positive change for Djibouti for many years.  Proactive change has been the theme of his work not only as the former chairman of the Djibouti Port and Free Zone Authority (DPFZA) but as a businessman with the foresight of what could improve the living conditions of all Djiboutians.   

Following the traditional family businesses in his early career, Boreh has worked with various international companies including Grandi Motore Trieste (Italia), British American Tobacco (UK), EDF France, MAN Germany and Sugar London. 

As the first vice president of the Djibouti Chamber of Commerce he personally funded an extensive business education and training program including administration and IT to provide students with the necessary tools to succeed in business in the modern world.  He also helped to modernize and improve the framework of the public sector finances. 

Boreh has a history of successful global business investments and partnership deals which bring jobs to Djibouti.  He is responsible for award-winning investment projects and is described as having a ‘magic touch’ in bringing investors together and successfully organizing international financing from respected global financing organizations and banks. 

Despite all the good he has done, he was arbitrarily sentenced to a 15-year prison term and a $56,000 fine only after he announced in 2008 that he planned to run for president.  Boreh was even charged with terrorism in relation to an incident involving a thrown a grenade at a supermarket in Djibouti City.  After being served papers in Dubai in June of 2010 Boreh was denied his right to legal representation as his attorneys were not even allowed inside the courtroom. 

Boreh’s biggest challenge has not been thinking of proactive ways to help the people of Djibouti, or executing successful plans that result in great returns for the small nation.  His biggest challenges have been to defend himself from the mortal sin of opposing a seated despot.  And despite the many political and legal attacks against his reputation and his work for the people of Djibouti, he has remained unscathed and undaunted.  Possibly reminiscent of a genuine presidential candidate.

Nicholsis a former Congressional senior adviser and an account executive at Clark and Weinstock/Weber Merritt Public Affairs, LLC. He is currently an adviser to several international businesses, governments and heads of state.