Abstract:
The importance of military bases for the economy and security of nations cannot be overemphasized.Thus, this study evaluates the impact of foreign military bases and economic security in Djibouti. This small country in the Horn of Africa was chosen because of its geostrategic location and because it currently hosts five foreign military bases in its small land mass. The specific objectives of the study are (i): to determine whether the geostrategic locations of the five military bases in Djibouti are driven by economic/national interests of the foreign countries, and (ii) to ascertain whether the rent/premium on the five bases have any significant impact on the economic development of Djibouti. The theoretical framework used in this study is the realist theory, while the method of data collection is through secondary sources. The data collected were analyzed using qualitative descriptive method of data analysis that involves the explanation and description of the secondary sources of data. From this study, we inferred that the geostrategic position of Djibouti in the Horn of Africa that hosts these foreign military bases drives its economy from premium and rent. Consequently, major findings include the locations of five military bases (US, France, Japan, China and Italy) on the country’s land mass which are driven by economic/national interests beyond counter terrorist motives. Premiums/rents paid on the military bases has not significantly increased the economic development of Djibouti. The study therefore, recommends that Djibouti should review her terms (such as lease of land and ownership, reduction in the number of military bases she hosts not minding the incentives, premium/rent, agreement on such military installations) and to effectively make use of its geostrategic location less from hosting military bases to tourism, regional economic routes for the Horn of African countries like import/export through transshipment of goods and services.
