A high-level delegation of ministers and diplomats from Yemen led by the Yemeni Vice President General Tareq Mohammed Abdullah Saleh met with the Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh on Wednesday to strengthen bilateral cooperation and address the situation in Yemen.

During this meeting, the two leaders discussed the situation in Yemen, focusing on the progress of the peace process and the existing truce, which has been in conflict since 2014.

President Guelleh emphasized Djibouti’s commitment to supporting Yemen, and promoting efforts to help it regain stability and play a crucial role in the region and internationally.

“I received His Excellency the Vice President of Yemen, General Tareq Mohammed Abdullah Saleh, at the presidential palace, accompanied by a high-ranking delegation. We discussed the situation in Yemen, particularly the efforts to restore peace and stability in the country,” President Guelleh stated.

He added, “Djibouti remains deeply connected to the unity of Yemen, a brother country with which we maintain centuries-old ties. Our solidarity with the Yemeni people has been consistently expressed, especially during periods of conflict, through systematic welcome and protection.”

The Vice President of Yemen highlighted the historical, geographical, and cultural ties between the people of Yemen and Djibouti. Both countries are strategically located along the vital waterway of international importance, the Bab Al-Mandab.

General Tareq pointed out that the meeting discussed how to accelerate cooperation between the two countries, and commended Djibouti’s vital role in enhancing addressing peace missions in Yemen.

Djibouti and Yemen maintain strong relations, with Djibouti having hosted Yemeni refugees since 2014.

According to a recent UNHCR report, Djibouti currently hosts 5,129 Yemeni immigrants who sought refuge since the beginning of the conflict.

President Guelleh previously stressed the need to promote peace in Yemeni and Sudan at the Islamic Conference and the Saudi-Africa Economic Conference in Saudi Arabia.

He urged Arab governments to work towards a lasting solution to the ongoing conflicts in Yemen.

Djibouti’s regional and international presence has grown as it actively participates in global and regional matters such as security and peace.

On Saturday, President Guelleh hosted the president of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, to mobilize peaceful resolution to the conflict in Sudan, as well as facilitate mediation by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Djibouti is also one of the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troop-contributing countries and has actively engaged in the fight against the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization, which has become a threat not only to Somalia but also its neighbouring countries.