U.S. Admiral, African Traditional Leader Meet‎‎

The visit marked the first time a U.S. military commander met with the traditional and religious leader of the Afar people.

By U.S. Air Force Capt. David Westover

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa

The Sultan of Tadjoura Abdoulaker Moumat Houmed (center) hosted U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Richard W. Hunt (left), commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, at his home near Tadjoura, Djibouti, May 18, 2006, for a ceremonial exchange of gifts, marking the first formal interaction between Americans and the tribal leader of the Afar people, a nomadic group of tribes who live in Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Roger S. Duncan

TADJOURA, Djibouti, May 25, 2006 — Although it was a mere 17-minute helicopter flight, the impact of this friendly visit may last for years to come.

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Richard W. Hunt, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commander, accepted an invitation from Abdoulaker Moumat Houmed, the Sultan of Tadjoura, to have lunch at his mango grove in the village of Bankouale, Djibouti. The May 18 visit marked the first time a U.S. military commander met with the traditional and religious leader of the Afar people, who inhabit parts of Djibouti, Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Abdoul Razak Daoud, the Commissar of Tadjoura; Capt. Mohammed Hassan, Djiboutian military liaison officer; and key members of the admiral’s staff also attended the event.

“It was great honor to have lunch with the sultan,” Hunt said. “His kindness and generosity were a true expression of friendship. I hope to be able to build upon that friendship to continue to seek out ways for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa to foster trust and understanding, with the ultimate goal of helping the people of Africa help themselves.”

The U.S. Marine Corps CH-53 helicopter, which transported the admiral and his staff from Camp Lemonier, landed in a dry riverbed amidst the rocky terrain. The sultan and a welcoming party met and escorted the admiral to the sultan’s residence. There, he was greeted by a small group of ornately dressed Afar women performing a traditional dance.

Surrounded by lush mango, citrus and palm trees, the two leaders exchanged friendly conversation in a shady, wooden hut with the assistance of Aref Hamidou, a translator who spoke Afar, French and English. Within minutes, the sultan’s family began a procession of traditional foods which included rotisserie goat stuffed with rice and raisins, flat breads, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes; culminating with a dessert of fresh mangoes – the sultan’s pride and joy.

Following the meal, the sultan presented a traditional Afar sword to Hunt, exclaiming, “This is to assist in your efforts against the terrorists!” The admiral then presented the sultan with an encased American flag, which had been flown over Camp Lemonier, and a Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commander’s coin.

“I hope this is the beginning of an enduring friendship with the Afar people of the region,” Hunt said. “[Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa] recently completed multiple projects in this area, to include repairs to the hospital, school dormitories and the primary road leading to Tadjoura.”

The admiral extended an offer to the sultan to visit Camp Lemonier and learn more about the mission of the task force and its efforts to provide stability and assistance to the region.

“I look forward to fostering strong working relations with all the people of Djibouti, as well as the people from our other partnering host nations,” he said.

Source: Defend America

The Sultan of Tadjoura Abdoulaker Moumat Houmed (left) hosted U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Richard W. Hunt (right), commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, at his home near Tadjoura, Djibouti, May 18, 2006, for a ceremonial exchange of gifts marking the first formal interaction between Americans and the tribal leader of the Afar people. The admiral gave the sultan an American flag, which had been flown over Camp Lemonier, and a Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commander's coin. The sultan gave the admiral a ceremonial sword, which is to be worn only by those ranked as chiefs or above in the Afar community. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Roger S. Duncan