Djibouti suspends US election mission http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/52ccbb2e-4bfb-11e0-9705-00144feab49a.html#axzz1GYb2d3An

Djibouti has told the United States that an independent election observer mission is “illegal” and suspended its partnership with the US-funded mission.The news came amid reports that the north-east African coastal state had arrested two opposition leaders on Friday.Democracy International (DI), which has a $2.2m, eight-man team in the tiny strategic state, provides the only international technical assistance and observation group in the country, which has been ruled by the same dynasty since independence.The increasing visibility of the Djibouti’s anti-democratic leanings is awkward for the US, which relies on the country for its only military base on the continent and last year doubled aid to the country, funding DI’s Djibouti operation. Many of its 3,000 troops are dedicated to fighting piracy and terrorism in neighbouring Somalia.

[an old but telling piece  on us policy in Djibouti...In Djibouti, US Special Forces Develop Base Amid Secrecy http://www.somalilandtimes.net/Archive/47/4704.htm   "We're the only game in town," said Daniel Benjamin, a Clinton-era staffer on the National Security Council. "If anyone wants to get any financial assistance, if they want support for any particular goals in the international community, whatever, the United States remains the key partner and as a result, no one wants to be on the wrong side of the war on terrorism."