The Republic of Djibouti is situated in the Horn of Africa, in the northeastern part of the continent. The country is bounded by Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia, and it is across the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden from Yemen. A small country, Djibouti has a total land area of only 8,958 square miles.
Although the Djibouti region has been inhabited at least since the Neolithic Era, its current borders were created by France in the late 1800s, and achieved independence in 1977, after a century of being a protectorate and colony of France. Prior to the arrival of the French, Djibouti had no identity as a state or national unit. Léonce Lagarde was the French colonial governor of French Somaliland, as it was known between 1883 and 1967, after which it became the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas.
The two dominant ethnic groups in Djibouti (the Issa-Somali and the Afar) have opposed one another on occasion, but a minimally shared identity and national consciousness have emerged since Djibouti achieved independence, largely due to social and cultural similarities, related languages, and an adherence to Islam. Although there has been political turbulence and even armed rebellions, Djibouti has not experienced a prolonged civil war, as have so many other African countries.
In its first year of independence, Djibouti joined the African Union, the Arab League, and the United Nations.
Politics in Djibouti has been dominated by relationships between the Issa-Somali and the Afar. Prior to the region's colonization, they were nomadic traders and, although they were politically organized, they had no interest in developing a nation. The Afar had chiefdoms and sultanates and, when the French arrived, they inhabited about seventy-five percent of the land. The Issa was organized by clan loyalty and an alliance with the ruler of Zeila, a trading center on the Somali coast. During French colonization, the number of Issa in the region grew steadily through immigration from Somalia. Two other groups, the Gadabursi and the Isaak Somali, also immigrated to the region from Somalia during the 1900s. Prior to independence, the French alternately promoted the Issa and the Afar, a divisive policy that contributed to conflicts after the colonial period.
Djibouti was created as a colony of France, which imposed a centralist structure on the local pastoral societies. More than two-thirds of the territory belonged to the Afar traditionally, while a southern section was controlled by the Issa, who were nomadic herders. Although closely related linguistically, the Afar and the Somali groups, especially the Issa, have long been rivals for power and access to resources. In 1991, an armed rebellion was waged by a largely Afar movement that succeeded in taking over a large part of the country. After the 1992 elections, a military crackdown and an accommodative policy persuaded the rebels to join with the government.
As a nation, Djibouti gets its national identity from its location and the economic significance of its port, and its current government is an uneasy compromise between Issa and the Afar.
In order to keep the government together, both formal and informal rules for the division of power have been developed. The president is an Issa and the prime minister is from the Afar group. One seat each in the Cabinet of Ministers is held for the Arabs, Isaak, and Gadabursi, while the Afar hold one seat more than the Issa. The head of the supreme court is always and Issa. The president is the head of state, while the prime minister is the head of the government.
Internationally, the country has close relations with Ethiopia, Somalia, France, and the United States of America. Its relations with neighboring Eritrea are tense, because of disputed claims over the Ras Doumeira peninsula.
Djibouti is a poor country, its greatest asset being its port and services center. The country has no natural resources, and there is not much agriculture, and its livestock economy is declining, although most people maintain herds and plant crops for subsistence. Unemployment and poverty are common, particularly in the rural areas. Although the government owns most of the land, urban land can be privately owned, while rural pasture areas are held in common.
The educational system in Djibouti is heavily influenced by the French. The government makes education a priority, allocating more than 20% of its annual budget to education. The University of Djibouti was established in 2000. Catholic and French schools use French as the language of instruction, while the Koranic schools use Arabic. However, the nomadic people and some other tribal classes are not well integrated into the country's education system.
Ninety-five percent of the population of Djibouti practice Islam. There is also a small population of Catholic and Orthodox Christians.
 
 
Recommended Resources
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa
CJTF-HOA is a military operational headquarters in Djibouti, countering violent extremist organizations in East Africa. Its vision and mission are set forth, along with its organizational structure, commander, deputy commanding general, command senior enlisted leader, chief of staff, foreign policy advisor, and its African, United States, and USG partners. Photos and video are included.
http://www.hoa.africom.mil/
Employment openings in the African country of Djibouti are posted here, including job descriptions and requirements. Postings may be searched by location, job title, or keywords. They may also be filtered by city, title, or company. Applications may be completed through the site, and three options are available to employers wishing to post job openings, each of which is enumerated here.
https://dji.jobs/
Rachel Pieh Jones has been an expatriate since 2003, studying four languages, lived on three continents, and raised three third-culture children. She has also published an introduction to the African country of Djibouti, a Djibouti cookbook, and other books, and has published articles in several publications. Her books may be viewed and purchased through the site, and links to her articles are included.
http://www.djiboutijones.com/
The Gazette covers domestic news from Djibouti, as well as from the rest of the African region and internationally, including not only local news reports, but information and news of the banking, finance, energy, and power industries, and lifestyle features. Other features include a calendar of events, advertising information, and a profile of the publication. News reports may be submitted to the newspaper online.
https://djiboutinewsgazette.com/
Offering a panoramic view of the Gulf of Tadjourah, the luxury hotel features a selection of rooms and suites, which are highlighted here, along with photographs, a list of amenities, and hotel services. Directions and a map showing the location of the hotel is posted, and its on-site restaurants, bars, spas, and meeting areas are described and shown in pictures. Rooms may be reserved online.
https://www.kempinski.com/en/djibouti/djibouti-palace/
Djibouti Tour and Travel Agency
Based in Djibouti City, the agency provides tours of the city and country of Djibouti, Africa. Featuring 4x4 land cruisers, English and French speaking guides, guest accommodations, and secure payment options, the company’s tours are highlighted in photos and video, including views of Lake Assal, Lake Abbe, the Godda Mountains, Moucha Island, and whale shark tours.
http://djiboutitour.com/
FK Medical - Sovereign Djibouti Medical Services
FK Medical SDMS offers a wide range of primary and specialty medical services to children and adults at its facilities in Plateau du Serpent, beside the French Embassy in Djibouti City, Republic of Djibouti. Its medical and dental care services, on-site pharmacy, and diagnostic and laboratory services are outlined, and patient information sheets and authorization forms may be downloaded from the site in English or French.
http://sovereigndms.com/
International School of Africa
ISA is located in Nagad, Djibouti, and offers independent sections for each age group, including preschool, elementary, middle and senior school age, as well as classrooms, laboratories, information management centers, music, art, and activity areas. Part of the Learner’s World International Schools, the facility is managed by School Development Consultants. Its admissions policies, academic programs, and a photo gallery are included.
http://isa-dj.com/
International School of Djibouti
The goal of ISD is to provide students in Djibouti, Africa with an education in English that is focused on discovery, creativity, and problem-solving. Its admissions and registration policies, objectives, and curriculum are discussed, along with a directory of faculty and staff, a photo gallery, and a monthly calendar. Other resources include an enrollment application, tuition, and employment opportunities.
http://internationalschoolofdjibouti.org/
Located at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, the port is a regional hub for the shipment and relay of goods and has handled one hundred percent of Ethiopia’s maritime traffic since 1998. An overview of the port and its services is presented, along with statistics on vessel calls and cargo traffic going through the port, its partners, new developments, policies, and location.
http://www.portdedjibouti.com/
Situated on Plateau de Serpent in Djibouti, Africa, the hotel offers views of the Red Sea and is located five minutes from the center of the city. Its rooms and suites, and special offers are highlighted, including photographs of the guest accommodations, common areas, and surrounding views, rates, a list of amenities and features, and guest reviews. Rooms may be booked through the site.
http://www.sheratondjibouti.com/
The United States embassy in Djibouti, Africa offers a variety of services to Americans in Djibouti, such as emergency assistance, problems with passports or visas, and federal programs. The embassy may also be of assistance to American businesses wanting to operate in Djibouti or for Djibouti businesses wanting to operate in the United States, as well as people wishing to study in the United States.
https://dj.usembassy.gov/
The online news portal provides coverage of political and business news and events in Djibouti and the Horn of Africa region. Featuring selected news items from a wide range of publications, as well as editorial commentary, and other resources for information on Djibouti, the site’s readership is international. Regional news, opinion, and other resources are included, and readers may subscribe to a newsletter.
http://voiceofdjibouti.com/
The US Central Intelligence Agency offers information about the African nation of Djibouti, including its relationship with the US and other countries, its governmental structure, economy, and communications and energy infrastructure. Other resources include an overview of the country’s geographical features and natural resources, people, culture and religion, and transportation options.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/dj.html