RETURN OF DJIBOUTI'S FOREIGN MINISTER

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000443 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF AND AF/E LONDON/PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV DJ SUBJECT: RETURN OF DJIBOUTI'S FOREIGN MINISTER REF: DJIBOUTI 135 ¶1. (U) Djibouti's Foreign Minister Ali Abdullah Farah returned to Djibouti May 1 directly from Paris, where he had been receiving treatment since a stroke at his office in Djibouti on February 9. News photos and footage of his disembarkment from the plane revealed a vigorous Foreign Minister with no visible effects of his illness. ¶2. (U) On May 5, the heads of diplomatic missions in Djibouti, led by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Eritrean Ambassador Mahmoud Ali Jabra, called formally on the minister to welcome him back and wish him well. We found him in excellent form, fully able to correspond with no signs of paralysis or permanent damage. He had lost considerable weight and told Ambassador he would not return immediately to his position but would recuperate a bit longer in Djibouti prior to resuming his duties. We note than Farah was present for the presidential inauguration but that Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, retains his capacity as Acting Foreign Minister. Youssouf will accompany President Guelleh for talks in Brazil and in Washington. RAGSDALE