Ambassador Larry André Letter of Credentials Speech
Good morning, Assalaamu aleykum
Your Excellency, Mr. President of the Republic of Djibouti,
It is an immense honor to present to you a letter from President Donald J. Trump containing my credentials to serve as the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Djibouti.
I have spent nearly all my adult life working in Africa, mostly in Muslim-majority nations. I first came to Djibouti in the year 2000 to collaborate with your government on environmental issues. Most recently, I served as my country’s Ambassador to Mauritania.
My wife, Ouroukou, and I are happy to be in your hospitable, dynamic, and rapidly developing country. Since our arrival, we have been warmly welcomed with typical Djiboutian hospitality and kindness.
The Djiboutian people, under your leadership, have created a record of peaceful development for other nations to study.
Through our strategic, long-term partnership with Djibouti, we wish to contribute toward the nation’s continued economic development and to further Djibouti’s positive influence in this region.
Our United States-Djibouti partnership serves the vital interests of both nations. We prioritize job creation for the Djiboutians.
Our contracting preferences complement our workforce development program by promoting opportunities for Djiboutian companies, thereby creating more jobs for Djiboutian workers. The American presence, including the embassy, Camp Lemonnier, businesses and private sector organizations, generates about 2,600 jobs for Djiboutians.
It is a true pleasure to see the great progress achieved in Djibouti since my last visit 10 years ago. Thank you for your partnership and leadership. I look forward to our discussions.
To read the full piece from U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, click here.