Djibouti Celebrates Independence 27 June 2023
By Joy Osiagwu
Djibouti is a small African country described as the “gateway to the Suez Canal”, one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. Located in the Horn of Africa, Djibouti was colonized by France. However, Djibouti gained independence from France on June 27, 1977, and Hassan Gouled Aptidon, one of the strong voices and chief negotiator for autonomy at the routable talks in Paris in 1977, became the nation’s first president until 1999 when he retired.
Djibouti, also the capital city, is still called “French Somali” because Muslim Somalis and Afars migrated from the Arabian Peninsula to the area some 1,00 years ago and settled permanently in Djibouti. The country has a population of 1.106 million. The official languages are French, Afar, and Arabic.
The nation has become a haven for foreign military bases due to its relatively stable state and proximity to many restive areas on the African continent and the Middle East. France, for instance, still maintains a significant military presence in the country, while America’s most extensive military base in Africa is situated there for a steady flow of foreign assistance. Djibouti is a member of the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Arab League and World Trade Organization, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Current Governance Structure
Djibouti’s system of governance is a presidential representative democratic republic. The executive powers are vested in the President and Government, while both Government and the National Assembly control the Legislature. Ismail Omar Guelleh is the current president of Djibouti. He assumed duty in 1999 after the election to succeed Hassan Gouled Aptidon, who ruled the nation for two decades since 1977.
Trending News
Djibouti looks forward to victory as Kenyan’s National football team, Harambee Stars, prepares to participate in a four-nation international football tournament in Mauritius in June at the FIFA international friendly against hosts Pakistan and Djibouti in a round-robin mini-tournament. The camp starts on June 5, with a game against Djibouti on June 12.
Djibouti Ottawa Connection.
Ottawa Djibouti Community Association has a Facebook page with 511 followers.
You can contact the Association for more information. at [email protected]
Djibouti’s Consulate in Montreal which was the only Djiboutian diplomatic mission in Canada has closed. For further inquiries or services, please contact Djibouti Embassy in Washington, D.C., United States for assistance. www.djiboutiembassyus.org
(+1202 331 0270 (Embassy in WDC).