About Djibouti

Officially the Republic of Djibouti, Djibouti is bordered by Ethiopia to the west and south, Somalia to the southeast, and Eritrea to the north. It is in the Horn of Africa and also borders the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

History

Djibouti’s history dates to thousands of years ago when hides were traded for items in ancient India, China, and Egypt. The Somali and Afar ethnic groups became the first Africans to embrace Islam based on close relations with groups in the Arabian Peninsula.

The land on the north side of the Gulf of Tadjoura was called Obock from 1862 to 1894. It was ruled by Somali Sultans. Treaties signed between 1883 and 1887 gave the French a foothold in the region. A permanent French administration in the city of Djibouti was formed by Leonce Legarde in 1894. He named the area French Somaliland.

Just before Somalia’s independence in 1960, Djibouti held a referendum to decide whether or not to join Somalia or stay part of France. The issue was decided in favor of staying part of France. Vote rigging was widespread. Most in favor were Somalis. They were in favor of joining a united Somalia that Mahmoud Harbi proposed. Harbi was vice president of the Government Council and died in a plane crash two years later. In 1977, Djibouti gained its independence. Hassan Gouled Aptidon became the first president.

Djibouti takes part in Islamic affairs. It is comprised of Somali, Afar, and Muslims. Djibouti is part of the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Arab League.