Djibouti

Full name of country: Republic of Djibouti

Region: Africa

Official language: Arabic, French

Population: 976,143 (2023 est.)

Nationality: Djiboutian(s) (noun), Djiboutian (adjective)

Land area: 23,180 sq km (8,950 sq miles)

Water area: 20 sq km (8 sq miles)

Capital: Djibouti

National anthem: "Jabuuti" (Djibouti), by Aden Elmi/Abdi Robleh

National holiday: Independence Day, June 27 (1977)

Population growth: 1.93% (2023 est.)

Time zone: UTC +3

Flag: The flag of Djibouti features a triangle design, with the base of the white isosceles triangle extending along the entire width of the hoist (left) side. A horizontal band of blue (top) represents sea and sky, while an equal horizontal band of green (bottom) symbolizes the earth. A five-pointed red star is centered within the white triangle, symbolizing unity. The colors have also been interpreted as representing ethnicity, most specifically green for the Afar and blue for the Issa.

Motto: “Unité, Égalité, Paix” (Unity, Equality, Peace)

Independence: June 27, 1977 (from France)

Government type: presidential republic

Suffrage: universal for those eighteen years of age

Legal system: structured primarily on the French civil code (as it existed in 1997), Islamic religious law (in matters of family law and successions), and customary law

Djibouti, formerly known as French Somaliland and the French Territory of the Afars and Issas, is a small nation in northeast Africa. It is located on the western shore of the Red Sea at the Gulf of Aden, and is bordered by Eritrea to the north, Ethiopia to the west and south, and Somalia to the southeast. The nation, famous as a seaport and trade route, was colonized by Italy, Great Britain, and France before gaining independence in 1977. Its people are known as Djiboutians.

People and Culture

Population: Djibouti's population is divided into two main ethnic groups: the Issas and the Afars. The Issas are a group of ethnic Somalis living in the southern and eastern areas of Djibouti, near the capital. The Afars, a group of nomadic herders, live in the northern part of the country.

Roughly 60 percent of all Djiboutians are Somali, while 35 percent are Afar. Minorities account for the remaining 5 percent of the population, and include people of French, Arab, Ethiopian, Indian, and Italian descent.

Ethnic tension characterizes the relationship between the Issas and the Afars. During the twentieth century, civil war broke out several times, over issues of colonialism and political representation. The two groups established peace in a 2001 agreement.

Although French and Arabic are the nation's two official languages, most Djiboutians speak Afar or Somali. Afar belongs to the Cushitic language family, while Somali is largely influenced by Arabic.

More than 60 percent of Djiboutians live in or around Djibouti City, the capital and by far the largest city in the country, with a population of approximately 600,000 (2020 estimate). The capital is known for its blend of African, French, and Arabic culture. Djibouti City features a marché central ("central market"), the nation's largest Islamic mosque (Hamoudi Mosque), and an important seaport that conducts the majority of East Africa's trade.

Other cities in Djibouti include Ali Sabieh, located in the Great Barra Plains; Tadjoura, the oldest city in the nation; Obock, the area first colonized by the French; and Dikhil, where Afar land divides into Issa land.

About 94 percent of Djibouti's population is Muslim. The form of Islam practiced by Djiboutians is relatively liberal. Most Djiboutian Muslims drink alcohol, which is sold throughout the nation. Both the Issas and the Afars were among the first Africans to adopt Islam.

An herbal drug called "qat" or "khat" is a major focus of Djiboutian leisure and culture. Traditionally, people congregate in a mabraz, or qat den, to take the drug and meet with friends. Many Djiboutians spend up to five hours daily in a mabraz, and some spend a significant percentage of their income on the drug. The colloquialism "brouter la salade," which is French for "graze the salad" refers to the activity of chewing qat.

Indigenous People: The Afar people are considered the first ethnic group to inhabit Djibouti. In the ninth century, Arab traders brought Islam to East Africa. The herders living in Ethiopia and Eritrea converted to Islam and developed into the nomadic Afar society. The group then migrated to the area now known as Djibouti. Arabs controlled Djibouti for roughly 700 years before the arrival of Europeans.

As nomadic herders, many of the Afar people live in self-governed clans and settle in temporary camps called "burra." The typical dwellings of the Afars are portable huts called "ari," which are made of sticks.

Due to harsh heat and droughts in the desert, many Afars have moved to Djibouti City to adopt urban jobs, Western-style clothing, and permanent dwellings. In the twentieth century, the Afars felt oppressed by the Issa-dominated government and instigated rebellions and civil warfare.

Education: Djibouti's education system includes seven technical secondary schools and one university, the Université de Djibouti. Most of the schools are in Djibouti City. The most common language of instruction is French, although Arabic is sometimes used in schools.

In 2010 just an estimated 58.9 percent of the nation’s school-aged boys and 58.5 percent of girls were enrolled in primary school. This rate improved over the years, reaching an estimated 75. 4 percent for boys and 75.1 percent for girls in 2020, according to the United Nations.

Health Care: Djibouti has a substandard health care system. In general, residents do not receive adequate medical attention and do not have health insurance coverage. Bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, dengue fever, and typhoid fever are common diseases and infections.

Frequent droughts pose serious health risks for the Afar population. The lack of potable water in Djibouti is a significant threat to the population. In 2024, the average life expectancy at birth was estimated to be 65.9 years: 63.4 for males and 68.5 for females. Djibouti ranked 171 on the 2022 UN Human Development Index.

Food: Restaurants in Djibouti are considered some of the best in Africa. The nation is known for its French cuisine and seafood. Common dishes in Djibouti include poisson Yemenite (baked fish), a mixture of honey and dates called "moksaba," and a French beef dish called "carpaccio de bœuf." The French influence may also be seen in Djibouti City's cafés, where coffee and croissants are popular.

Djiboutian food is largely based on the meat and milk of local livestock. Droughts can cause food shortages, and as a result, starvation is a common crisis.

Arts & Entertainment: Dance, oral literature and poetry are prevalent art forms in Djibouti. Most of Djiboutian music and poetry is used to narrate the history of the country's people, particularly the Afar.

Traditional African crafts are sold at the marché central ("central market") in Djibouti City. Some of the most popular Djiboutian crafts are Afar and Issa knives, and woven straw mats called "fiddima."

The country's main form of leisure is the qat den, at which residents gather to chew qat and relax. A popular sport among the Afars is kwosso, a ball game that resembles soccer. Other popular sports throughout Djibouti include soccer, track and field, and basketball.

Holidays: Djibouti's national holiday is Independence Day (June 27), which celebrates the country's independence from France in 1977. Because of the large Muslim population, religious observations such as Ramadan, Eid Al Adha, and the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed are also widely celebrated in Djibouti.

Environment and Geography

Topography: Djibouti's three geographical regions are the coastal plains in the east at Ghoubbet El Kharab (the Bay of Ghoubbet), the volcanic plateaus in the south surrounding the Ardoukoba volcano, and the mountain ranges in the north. There are some forests in the northern region, but for the most part, Djibouti's land is dry and bare.

There are several mountain ranges in Djibouti, including the Dalha Mountains, the Mabla Mountains and the Goda Mountains. The highest point in Djibouti is at the peak of Mount Moussa Ali, 2,021 meters (6,631 feet) above sea level.

Djibouti is one of the only nations in East Africa that is primarily covered with desert. The desert plains consist of the Petit Barra Depression and the Grand Barra Depression, which neighbor each other in the south, the Alol Depressions in the west, and the Gammaré and Hanlé Plains in the southwest.

Lac (Lake) Assal, which lies at the bottom of a crater 155 meters (509 feet) below sea level, is the lowest point on the African continent. Lac Abbé in the southwest is the nation's other major lake.

Moucha Island, Maskali Island, and the archipelago known as Les Sept Frères are the major islands off the coast of Djibouti.

Natural Resources: The nation's most significant resource is its seaport, which accounts for most of the country economic activity. With very few areas of vegetation, there are no exploitable timber resources. Djibouti’s main mineral resources include salt, gold, granite, limestone, marble, clay, diatomite, gypsum, and pumice. There is also some petroleum.

Plants & Animals: Due to long droughts and low average annual rainfall, vegetation in Djibouti is mostly limited to drought-resistant trees and shrubs. These include acacia trees, doum palms, and date palms. The euphorbia, a plant that resembles the cactus, is also common. Several varieties of boswellia trees, which produce frankincense, are also found in Djibouti.

There are several dense forests in the northern regions of the country, particularly in the Forêt de Day National Park. However, these forests are in danger of being cleared to provide more grazing land for the country's many herds of cattle, sheep, goats, and camels.

Djibouti is home to numerous endangered animal species, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, dik diks, cheetahs, hyenas, lions, and vultures. The encroachment of the desert threatens the existence of many of these wild species.

In the waters off the country's coast, marine animals such as sea slugs, clown fish, and green sea turtles are commonly found. Birds such as curlew and sanderling live in the Red Sea habitat, while numerous flamingoes inhabit the area surrounding Lac Abbé.

Climate: Djibouti has a dry, hot climate typical of the sub-Saharan region. Djibouti City is the hottest city on the African content, with an average temperature of around 30° Celsius (86° Fahrenheit). Most rainfall is received between November and April, when the temperature cools to an average of about 25° Celsius (77° Fahrenheit). During the dry season, temperatures often reach 45° Celsius (113° Fahrenheit).

Djibouti experiences numerous natural hazards, including earthquakes, droughts, cyclones and flash floods from the Indian Ocean.

Economy

Almost all of Djibouti's economic activity is in the service sector. With virtually no natural resources and little agricultural activity, the nation depends on its status as a free trade zone, and maintains good foreign relations with countries providing economic aid.

In 2023, the gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at $7.38 billion USD, with a per capita GDP of $6,400 USD. Unemployment is an epidemic in Djibouti, and the country had an estimated 26.26 percent unemployment rate in 2023. About 21 percent of the population lived below the poverty line in 2017.

Industry: The country's beverage plants provide its main manufacturing capacity. Food is the nation's main import, followed by beverages, chemicals, transport equipment, and petroleum products. With the exception of animal hides and scrap metal, goods exported from Djibouti's port are in transit from other nations. Djibouti's largest trade partners include Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, France, China, the United States, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, and Somalia. Meanwhile, the services sector, which includes processing agricultural products from nearby countries, transporting goods mainly from Ethiopia, and construction, accounted the majority of GDP.

Agriculture: Djibouti receives little rain, and has sparse vegetation and a lack of arable land. Because of these factors, agriculture is limited to livestock such as camels, goats, and cattle; few fruits and vegetables can be planted.

Most of the nation's agricultural activity occurs among the nomadic Afar clans. This form of agriculture is largely at the subsistence level, and therefore does not affect the nation's economy. The only exported agricultural goods are animal hides, and revenues from agriculture are therefore negligible.

Tourism: Djibouti City is not known for cultural attractions. The city has no museums and few historical sites, and most colonial buildings lie in ruin. Therefore, most of Djibouti's tourism is based on wildlife, scenery, and outdoor activities. Most tourists in Djibouti visit the city's central market and the Hamoudi Mosque, but the majority of tourist attractions are outside of the city.

Tourists visit Lac Abbé to see flocks of flamingoes. Lac Assal is another tourist favorite, because of its landscape of dormant volcanoes surrounding the lake. Other attractions include snorkeling and diving around the coral reef of the Maskali and Musha Islands, windsurfing on wheeled boards in the Grand Barra plains, and hiking in the Forêt du Day National Park. Revenues from tourism are negligible, as the country receives a low number of visitors.

Government

Djibouti is a democratic republic. The president, elected by popular vote to a five-year term, is the chief of state. The president appoints a prime minister, who is the head of government. The executive branch is rounded out by the Council of Ministers, the president's cabinet that is headed by the prime minister.

The National Assembly, a unicameral parliament of sixty-five elected members, is Djibouti's legislative branch. Members of parliament serve five-year terms. The Supreme Court is the country's highest judicial authority. The age of suffrage in Djibouti is eighteen.

As a colony of France since the late nineteenth century, Djibouti began to experience political uprisings in 1949, when the Issa Somalis rebelled against the French colonists. The Afar people supported French rule, and fought back against the Issas in civil war.

In 1967, many Somalis were expelled from the nation, Issa leaders were arrested, and a referendum was passed ensuring that Djibouti would remain a French territory. Extensive rioting broke out, and after ten more years of civil warfare, the nation was declared independent on June 27, 1977, with the Issas in power.

In 1991, the Afars felt underrepresented in the Issa government and started another civil war. Fighting ceased after peace accords in 1994 and 2001, and the People's Rally for Progress (RPP) was formed as a moderate party representing both ethnic groups.

Other major political parties in Djibouti include the Democratic National Party (PND), the Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), the Republican Alliance for Democracy (ARD), and the Union for Democracy and Justice (UDJ).

In an effort to increase foreign aid, Djibouti allowed France, Italy, and the United States to deploy troops in Djibouti during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. The nation was seen as a strategic location during the war, and France has maintained an overseas military base in Djibouti since that time.

Beginning in 2000, France was encouraged to reduce its military presence in Djibouti. Beginning in 2003, the United States' invasion of Iraq and the broader "war on terror" led to an increased United States military presence in Djibouti, which was again considered a frontline location.

Interesting Facts

• Djibouti contains one of the largest United States military bases in Africa.
• In 2017 Djibouti became the site of China's first overseas military base.
• The first athlete from Djibouti to win an Olympic medal was the marathon runner Hussein Ahmen Salah, who won bronze in 1988.

Bibliography

"Djibouti." The World Bank, 2024, data.worldbank.org/country/djibouti. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

"Djibouti." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 16 Jan. 2025, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/djibouti/. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

"Djibouti." World Health Organization, 2020, www.who.int/countries/dji/en/. Accessed 29 Sept. 2020.

"Human Development Insights." Human Development Reports, United Nations Development Programme, 13 Mar. 2024, hdr.undp.org/data-center/country-insights#/ranks. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.