8. Then there is the whole SADC EAC disagreement involving the DRC.
Kagame v. Ramaphosa The death of South African soldiers on a Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has sparked fierce debate about the deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers there. Some, including political parties, have questioned whether the soldiers were adequately trained, equipped and supported. Lindy Heinecken has spent decades researching the South African military in peacekeeping operations and has interviewed hundreds of soldiers about their experiences and the challenges during deployment. We asked her for her insights.
9(c). The alternative was a Muslim who understood French, English, Arabic, Somali and Afar and has experience working in foreign relations in this part of the world.
Also, Djibouti has much stronger international position and influence with non african states. The many military bases, the proximity to the Middle East. The position in the Red Sea.
Youssouf worked at Djibouti's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and headed its Arab affairs department during the 1990s. He served as Ambassador to Egypt from 1997 to 2001.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahamoud_Ali_Youssouf#cite_note-8"><span>[</span>8<span>]</span></a>
In 2008 Youssouf served as Chairman of the 129th Ordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Arab League.
Speaking to The New York Times in 2008, Youssouf said that although Djibouti was a small country, it had a sizable port and hoped to develop its economy along the same lines as Dubai. He highlighted the country's strategic location, which he asserted was better positioned than Dubai.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahamoud_Ali_Youssouf#cite_note-13"><span>[</span>13</a>