DJIBOUTI READY TO SIGN MEGAPORTS MOU

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000925 DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E AND EEB SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ECON ENRG EWWT MNUC PINS DJ SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI READY TO SIGN MEGAPORTS MOU ¶1. The GODJ has confirmed that Djibouti is ready to be the first African port to participate in the Department of Energy's Megaports Initiative. In early November, Post reached an agreement with the MFA on the text of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to allow for the installation of specialized equipment to detect illegal transport of special nuclear material through Djibouti's new Doraleh Port. The value of equipment, communications systems, and training to be furnished to the GODJ under the MOU is estimated at $6-10 million. ¶2. The MOU concerning "Cooperation to Prevent Illicit Trafficking in Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material" will be signed by the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Ambassador on behalf of the Department of Energy (DOE). Post is awaiting DOE's delegation of signature authority to the Ambassador before confirming a mid-December date for the signing ceremony, to be held at the MFA with local press coverage. ¶3. Agreement on the final MOU text followed ten months of engagement by DOE and Post with potential Djibouti Megaports Initiative stakeholders, including the MFA, Ministry of Transport, national security, and GODJ and Dubai Ports World (DP World) Port of Djibouti management, customs, and security officials. Both GODJ and DP World interlocutors were enthusiastic about Djibouti's potential participation in the Megaports program, and especially about the opportunity for the Port of Djibouti to join ports such as Rotterdam, Singapore, Manila, and Antwerp to become the first African "Megaport." SWAN