In April 1977, the United States established a consulate general in Djibouti and, upon independence in June 1977, raised the status of its mission to an embassy.

The Djiboutian Government has been very supportive of U.S. and Western interests particularly during the Gulf crisis of 1990-91[citation needed] and after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

[citation needed] In 2002, Djibouti agreed to host a U.S. military presence at Camp Lemonnier, a former French Foreign Legion base outside the capital that now houses approximately four thousand personnel.

U.S. service members provide humanitarian support and development as well as security and counterterrorism assistance to people and governments of the Horn of Africa and Yemen.

As a victim of past international terrorist attacks, President Guelleh continues to take a very proactive position against terrorism.