Djibouti

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In 1945 the area now comprising the Republic of
Djibouti (then known as French Somaliland) was
proclaimed an overseas territory of France, and in
1967 was renamed the French Territory of the Afars
and the Issas. The Afar and the Issa have strong
connections with Ethiopia and Somalia respectively.

Until the 1960s ethnic divisions were not marked;
however, conflicting international tensions in the
Horn of Africa, together with France´s policy of
favouring the minority Afar community, combined to
create internal tensions.

History

Demands for independence were led by the Issa community, and under pressure from the
Organization of African Unity to grant full independence to the territory, France acted to improve
relations between the two communities.

A unified political movement, the Ligue populaire africaine pour l´independance (LPAI) was formed,
and, following an overwhelming vote favouring independence at a referendum held in May 1977, the
territory became independent on 27 June. Hassan Gouled Aptidon, a senior Issa politician and leader
of the LPAI, became the first President of the Republic of Djibouti.

Separate treaties of friendship and co-operation were signed in 1981 with Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya
and Sudan, with the aim of resolving regional conflicts. In August 1984 the Minister of Foreign Affairs
reaffirmed Djibouti´s policy of maintaining neutral stance in the conflict between its neighbours in the
Horn of Africa, and expressed his Government´s willingness to act as a mediator.

Ajoint ministerial committee, which held its first session in July 1985, was formed between Djibouti anc
Ethiopia, to strengthen existing relations and co-operation between the two countries. These
relations, however, were over shadowed in 1986 by Ethiopia´s support for the MNDID.

Djibouti´s interest in promoting regional co-operation was exemplified by the creation, in February
1985, of the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD now the
Intergovernmental Authority on Development, IGAD, with six (now seven) member states; Djibouti was
chosen as the site of its permanent secretariat, and President Gouled became the first Chairman.

Under the auspices of IGADD, the Heads of State of Ethiopia and Somalia met in January 1986 for the
first time in 10 years, and in March 1988 they held a further meeting. In the following month the two
countries agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations, to withdraw troops from their common border
and to exchange prisoners of war.

Official Name: The Republic of the Djibouti

Location: Djibouti is part of the African continent bounded to the northeast and east by the Red Sea,
the southeast by Somalia and the south, west and north by Ethiopia. The country is a barren strip of
land around the Gulf of Tadjoura, varying in width from 20km to 90 km, with a coastline of 800 km,
much of it white sandy beaches.

Capital: Djibouti

Area: Djibouti has an area of 23,201 sq km (8958 sq mi).

Language: The official languages are French and Arabic. Afar and Somali are spoken locally. English is
spoken by traders and hoteliers.

Religion: Muslim with Roman Catholic, Protestant and Greek Orthodox minorities.

Population:Djibouti has a total population (1997 estimate) of 434,116, yielding an average population
density of 19 persons per sq km (48 per sq mi). The capital, principal port, and only sizable city is
Djibouti (population, 1991, 317,000). The population of Djibouti has swelled in recent years because of
an influx of refugees from neighboring Somalia and Ethiopia.

Membership: Djibouti is a member of the UN, OAU, the Arab League, Organization of the Islamic
Conference and is an ACP state of the EU.

Currency: Djibouti Franc (DFr) = 100 centimes.

Djibouti Time Difference: GMT + 3