Two US senators have voiced concerns over the possibility of China assuming control of a port terminal in Djibouti, according to Reuters.
In a joint letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Democratic Senator Chris Coons described reports that China could soon control the Doraleh Container Terminal (DCT) as “alarming.”
It is the latest attempt by US politicians to raise awareness of China’s growing influence in East Africa and the potential consequences for the US’ economic and security interests.
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In July 2018, Congressman Bradley Byrne also wrote a letter to Secretary Mattis about China’s presence Africa following DP World’s expulsion from Djibouti in February 2018 and the opening of a new, China-funded trade zone.
Since then, Djibouti and DP World have been locked in a legal dispute that has seen a series of court rulings which declared the former’s actions illegal.
Reuters said it contacted the US State Department for comment but did not receive one.
Read the original Reuters article here
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