Beijing(Mogadishu24)-President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti left for Beijing on Sunday to participate in the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, taking place from September 4 to 6 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The summit will focus on strengthening Sino-African ties under the theme, “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.”

Ahead of his departure, President Guelleh expressed the importance of this summit in furthering Djibouti’s strategic cooperation with China, marking 45 years of diplomatic relations. “Our partnership with China has been pivotal in advancing key infrastructure projects and educational exchanges,” he said.

President Guelleh, who has visited China 10 times, will join other African leaders, including African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat, at this significant diplomatic event.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also attend as a special guest.