Ismail Omar Gueleh accused of killing a French judge

[Ahmed-Gurey]

French open new row with Djibouti

By staff writer

15 February - A French investigating judge, Sophie Clement, has summoned the Djiboutian President, Ismael Omar Guelleh, for questioning over the mysterious 1995 death of a French Judge in the African Horn country. President Guelleh, who is in France to attend the Franco-African summit, snubbed a similar request in 2005 and is expected to do the same again.

Considered very sensitive, the case, which was handled by four French investigators, will add fire to the already looming diplomatic tensions between France and its former colony.

Bernard Borrel's body was found soaked in gasoline and half burned outside the Djiboutian capital in October 1995. But an inquiry into the death by the Djibouti government ruled that the judge had committed suicide, a claim Mr Borrel's widow, Elisabeth Borrel, vehemently disputed, alleging that her husband's death was ordered by President Guelleh.

At first, French investigators subscribed to the Djiboutian side of the story, but a recent medical and legal studies conducted by the French confirmed that he was indeed murdered.

Shifting from its previous stance, the French Justice Ministry today issued a statement, stating "with regard to international custody and the law, heads of state have the same immunity as diplomats, and as a result they cannot be required to testify in a French judicial system."

It added that requests which are addressed to persons immune from prosecution "must obey the particular forms envisaged by the law."

In January 2005, a French judge issued arrest warrants against Djibouti officials - including the country's Security Chief and State Prosecutor, Hassan Saeed and Djama Souleiman - accusing them of interfering with witnesses in the ongoing investigation into the death.

Mr Saeed was accused of forcing an army officer to lie to the inquiry commission probing into the case. He had since then fled the country and was now a witness in the French court.

However, the Djiboutian government insisted that France had no legal mandate to summon its officials covered by diplomatic immunity.

This followed a diplomatic row between the two countries, with Djiboutian authorities expelling six French aid workers, which upset French that had previously enjoyed excellent relations with the small East African country since it got independent in 1977.

According to French authorities, these aid workers were "technical assistants" on the French pay roll, contributing to "the economic and social development of Djibouti" in the sectors of health, education, public safety and rural development.

Paris further said it "regretted" Djibouti's decision to expel the six aid workers. "France remains attached, more than ever, to maintain a strong cooperation in total partnership with Djibouti."

The reopening of the case has attracted swift media reaction in France, with some accusing Djiboutian authorities of hiding something under their sleeves during the 1995 investigations.

Besides, the state-owned 'Radio France Internationale' (RFI) - which at the time was widely received and listened to in Djibouti - became so instrumental in the case that it had dedicated a special programme on the Borrel case, thus questioning the integrity of the Djiboutian authorities at home.

The Djiboutian government decided to close the 'RFI' transmitter in the country in January last year.

Before the closure, the Djiboutian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strongly-worded statement, protesting against the French media coverage of the Borrel case and the Paris court's summoning of Mr Saeed.

According to Ali Abdi Farah, Djibouti Foreign Minister, since 1999, facts had been seriously distorted. He said the legal proceedings surrounding the death of Mr Borrel in 1995 had been conducted by French officials in Djibouti, including French police, military and health officials.

"Djibouti authorities did not at any point interfere with the process," he argued.

French officials later supported Mr Farah's statement, maintaining that Djiboutian authorities had never interfered in the Borrel case. It had been a French investigation, relying on "the excellent cooperation of Djiboutian authorities and justice" in full transparency. French investigators had been assured full access to all places, persons and information they needed, even to classified military secrets, the Quai d'Orsay emphasises.

France traditionally has been the ex-colony's main development partner, providing significant amounts of aid and financial support to the strategically placed country. Some 2,700 French troops remain stationed in Djibouti under agreements signed at independence.

With the international 'War on Terrorism', however, Djibouti has increased its international importance and reduced its dependence on Paris. Some 1,800 US troops now are stationed in Djibouti, which is the new headquarters for the anti-terrorism Indian Ocean task force. Even Germany has now a military base in the country. The new foreign military presence also contributes significantly to the Djiboutian economy.

With this newfound self-confidence, Foreign Minister Farah last year made it clear that Djibouti would not accept any French humiliation regarding the Borrel case. Djiboutian viewpoints have not changed since that, something President Guelleh is expected to tell his French counterpart at the current Africa-France summit in Cannes.

Source: afrol News, Feb 15, 2007

[fagash_killer]

he is quilty until proven!

[abwaan1]

This issue has been a serious spoiler for French Djibouti relation for over 10 years. There has been several court ruling that the French court made but ignored by the French government for the sake of avoiding diplomatic crisis. Djibouti, not fully understanding the independence of French court, always blame the French government and accused them of coup d'états against Gelleh régime. It makes sense for the French to wait until the man leaves office. But when is that? Gelleh is is a dictator who wins elections by 99.9% and already decided to die in office. How long justice can wait. If he doesn’t go and defend himself, and if the court find him guilty of murder, he will be fugitive in all Europe. Six miles outside Djibouti to Arta is how far he can venture. Gloomy feature for his majesty

[Enemy_Of_Mad_Mullah]

[quote="fagash_killer"]he is quilty until proven![/quote]


Actually it's, innocent till proven guilty

[fagash_killer]

its not innocent until proven guilty. It's quilty until proven innocnet. Don't let anyone tell you any different

[e!]

Djibooty is finished. Cadaan Soldiers + Habashi whores= AIDS CENTRAL.

Read:

http://aids-africa.unon.org/countries/DJI/INDEX.HTM

http://www.somaliawatch.org/archivejuly/000814201.htm

[Enemy_Of_Mad_Mullah]

[quote="e!"]Djibooty is finished. Cadaan Soldiers + Habashi whores= AIDS CENTRAL.

Read:

http://aids-africa.unon.org/countries/DJI/INDEX.HTM

http://www.somaliawatch.org/archivejuly/000814201.htm[/quote]


Jabuuti ma noola

[hometown-hottie]

[quote="fagash_killer"]he is quilty until proven![/quote]

yes inaabti, it's the African way , which is guilty till proven innocent!

[FAH1223]

"The United Nations estimates that 13.9 percent of Djibouti"s women and 8.8 percent of its men between the ages of 15 and 24 are infected.

Rates among its prostitutes are thought to be much higher. As his friends drank and danced at one bar last week, a French military officer said he thought AIDS was now a greater threat than combat in a spell abroad with the Legion. "After a night of beer, they forget everything they know about AIDS. It is the greatest risk they take."

[fagash_killer]

[quote="hometown-hottie"][quote="fagash_killer"]he is quilty until proven![/quote]

yes inaabti, it's the African way , which is guilty till proven innocent![/quote]

ma ila aragtaay

[e!]

[quote="FAH1223"]"The United Nations estimates that 13.9 percent of Djibouti"s women and 8.8 percent of its men between the ages of 15 and 24 are infected.

Rates among its prostitutes are thought to be much higher. As his friends drank and danced at one bar last week, a French military officer said he thought AIDS was now a greater threat than combat in a spell abroad with the Legion. "After a night of beer, they forget everything they know about AIDS. It is the greatest risk they take."

[/quote]

Dude, JUBUUTI IS DEAD.

Lets just hope they infect all those drunk soldiers with Aids

Theres even Male prostitutes

I wonder who picks them up, the french or the american pigs

[e!]

Beaten Somali Woman Is Held as Prostitute
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Published: December 16, 1992
A Somali woman who was beaten by a mob on Monday after riding in a jeep with French soldiers is in jail on charges of prostitution, the security force of one Somali faction said today.

Abd Rahman, an official loyal to Gen. Mohammed Farah Aidid, identified the woman as Leila Haji Sadiq, 22 years old. He said she would face trial before a religious court. She could face the death penalty.

The woman was kicked and beaten on the face with fists and sticks for about 15 minutes Monday in clear view of French and United States forces, who did not intervene.

Col. Michel Touron, commander of French troops here, denied his soldiers had paid the woman for sex. Three Mogadishu newspapers said a "French mercenary" had paid the woman for sexual favors.

This is what they need to do in Juboooti

[abwaan1]

What ever their short coming is, Djiboutian are the most advance people in east Africa. They are light-years ahead of people in savage land.(Somalia if such thing still exist) specially people who live in south (excluding punt land) should bare their head in sand and live in shame for ever, let alone criticizing any other humans on this planet

[e!]

Id rather live in a primitive land than one filled with Kufirs and prostitutes. In the next 10 years AIDS rate in Djibooty is gonna be like 66%, enjoy

[Advocatar]

why 10 years..............I hope all filthy djiboutians drop dead now.