148-578: Djibouti (also called Djibouti City and Jibuti in early Western texts) is the capital city of the Republic of Djibouti . It is located in the coastal Djibouti Region on the Gulf of Tadjoura . Djibouti has a population of around 780,000 inhabitants, which counts for 73% of the country's population. The settlement was founded in 1888 by the French, on land leased from the ruling Somali and Afar Sultans. During
296-480: A free port and abandons the free zone . In 1948, a new currency, the Côte Française des Somalis, was created, pegged to the gold standard and convertible into dollars. In August 1966, an official visit to the territory by then French President , General Charles de Gaulle , was also met with demonstrations and rioting. In response to the protests, de Gaulle ordered another referendum. On 19 March 1967,
444-419: A second plebiscite was held to determine the fate of the territory. Initial results supported a continued but looser relationship with France. However, the referendum was again marred by reports of vote rigging on the part of the French authorities, voters rejected independence by a 50-point margin. Announcement of the plebiscite results sparked civil unrest, including several deaths. The population of Djibouti
592-489: A "finance law" ( French : Loi des Finances ), which is equivalent to an appropriation bill . Each minister must prepare a list of requests for funds annually, and submit it to the Budget Ministry. This ministry decides whether to grant or deny requests for funding by ministers. The ministry also calculates the state budget for the coming year. The parliament must vote on all applications of finance law. Members of
740-552: A Solomonic army and killed the Emperor. He then advanced to the mountains of Mokha, where he encountered a 30,000 strong Solomonic army. The Adalite soldiers surrounded their enemies and for two months besieged the trapped Solomonic soldiers until a truce was declared in Mansur's favour. During this period, Adal emerged as a centre of Muslim resistance against the expanding Christian Abyssinian kingdom. Adal would thereafter govern all of
888-539: A T-shaped symbol. Additionally, archaeological excavations at Tiya have yielded tombs. As of 1997, 118 stelae were reported in the area. Along with the stelae in the Hadiya Zone , the structures are identified by local residents as Yegragn Dingay or "Gran's stone", in reference to Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi (Ahmad "Gurey" or "Gran"), ruler of the Adal Sultanate . Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi
1036-563: A city and an administrative province. The Djibouti Region is one of the six regions of Djibouti. It borders the Gulf of Tadjoura and Gulf of Aden to the north and east, and the Arta Region to the south and west. The Djibouti Region is the smallest province in the country, but contains the national capital, Djibouti, and thus is the region with the greatest population of people. Djibouti Region occupies an area of 200 square kilometres (77 square miles). The administration of Djibouti City
1184-573: A commercial center. In 1933, Djibouti was the first town to be wired to electricity in French Somaliland . On 12 July 1926, the Fontainebleau, a Messageries Maritimes steamer loaded with cotton and heading for China caught fire while approaching Djibouti. The captain decided to flood the holds and run aground his ship in the middle of the harbor of Djibouti, causing significant inconvenience for port traffic. The city then proposed using
1332-561: A customs house and galleys patrolling the Bab-el-Mandeb . By the 17th century, when the Ottomans were compelled to retire from Zeyla, the town and its environs such as Tadjoura fell under the control of the rulers of Mocha and Sana'a , who had leased the territory to a Sana'a merchant called Sayyid Al-Barr. Zeyla was subsequently ruled by an Emir, whom Mordechai Abir suggested had "some vague claim to authority over all of
1480-587: A daytime maximum temperatures of 29 °C (84 °F). There are barely any days in the year without sunshine, and even during the winter there are many clear days. Djibouti is a multi-ethnic town. It has a population of around 777,000 residents (including suburbs like Balbala) in 2024, making it by far the largest settlement in the country. The largest ethnic group are the Somali and the second largest being Afars , both Cushitic speaking Cushitic peoples . The population of Djibouti City has risen exponentially with
1628-792: A fleet of 400 green-and-white taxis. The main bus hub in Djibouti is the Central Bus Station, located at the crossing of Rue de Bender. Djibouti is served primarily by the Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport . It is the second largest airport in the Horn of Africa , and offers flights to numerous global destinations. As of 2016, the largest services using the airport include Air Djibouti , Yemenia , Air France , Flydubai , Ethiopian Airlines , Turkish Airlines , Kenya Airways and Qatar Airways . It
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#17327731376101776-456: A foothold in the region. The exchange of Franco-British diplomatic notes of 2 and 9 February 1888 fixed the territorial limit between the colonies of the two countries; leaving explicitly under French authority the southern coasts of the Gulf of Tadjoura, including a peninsula composed of insubmersible plateaux, Ras Djibouti as a highly strategic location, a future bridgehead for French designs in
1924-599: A government, the prime minister nominee must propose a list of ministers to the president. The president can either accept or reject these proposed ministers. Ministers are ranked by importance: According to the Constitution of the French Fifth Republic , the government directs and decides the policy of the nation. In practice, the government writes bills to be introduced to parliament, and also writes and issues decrees . All political decisions made by
2072-590: A post. The government is responsible to the French Parliament. In particular, the government must assume responsibility for its actions before the National Assembly, and the National Assembly can dismiss the government with a motion of censure . The government cannot function during the tenure of acting (interim) president, as that position is granted either to the president of the Senate or
2220-605: A primary crossing point for early hominins following a southern coastal route from East Africa to South and Southeast Asia . The Djibouti area has been inhabited since the Neolithic . According to linguists, the first Afroasiatic -speaking populations arrived in the region during this period from the family's proposed urheimat ("original homeland") in the Nile Valley , or the Near East . Other scholars propose that
2368-403: A rich seabed and colorful algae. Various fish species can also be found in the local coral gardens, including groupers, jacks and barracuda. Djibouti is a major transportation hub, served by a comprehensive public transport network. Roads leading out of the city connect it to other national localities and to Somalia and Ethiopia . Public transportation is provided through buses stationed at
2516-498: A set format. In the first part of a meeting, the Council deliberates over general interest bills, ordinances, and decrees. In the second part, the Council discusses individual decisions by each minister regarding the appointment of senior civil servants . In the third part, usually, either one minister will give a presentation about some reform or project that they are directing, or the president will ask for advice on some subject from
2664-579: A settlement at Sagallo in 1889 was promptly thwarted by French forces after just one month. In 1894, Léonce Lagarde established a permanent French administration in the city of Djibouti and named the region French Somaliland . The construction of the Imperial Ethiopian Railway west into Ethiopia turned the port of Djibouti into a boomtown of 15,000 at a time when Harar was the only city in Ethiopia to exceed that. Although
2812-582: A succession of battles with neighbouring Abyssinia . At its height, the Adal kingdom controlled large parts of modern-day Djibouti, Somaliland , Eritrea and Ethiopia. Between Djibouti City and Loyada are a number of anthropomorphic and phallic stelae . The structures are associated with graves of rectangular shape flanked by vertical slabs, as also found in Tiya , central Ethiopia . The Djibouti-Loyada stelae are of uncertain age, and some of them are adorned with
2960-540: A united Somalia as had been proposed by Mahmoud Harbi , Vice President of the Government Council. Harbi was killed in a plane crash two years later under suspicious circumstances. In 1966, France rejected the United Nations ' recommendation that it should grant French Somaliland independence. In August of the same year, an official visit to the territory by then French President Charles de Gaulle ,
3108-702: A warning to the Mamluk ruler that if he did not stop the persecution of Christians in Egypt, he would retaliate against Muslims under his rule and would starve the peoples of Egypt by diverting the course of the Nile. According to Pankhurst, of the two threats, the diversion of Nile was an idle threat and the Egyptian sultan dismissed it because he likely realized this to be so. The fear that the Ethiopians might tamper with
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#17327731376103256-563: Is a country in the Horn of Africa , bordered by Somalia to the south, Ethiopia to the southwest, Eritrea in the north, and the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to the east. The country has an area of 23,200 km (8,958 sq mi). In antiquity, the territory, together with Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somaliland, was part of the Land of Punt . Nearby Zeila , now in Somaliland, was
3404-505: Is a terminus of the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway . For most of its length, the railway runs parallel to the abandoned metre-gauge Ethio-Djibouti Railway . However, the standard-gauge railway is built on a new, straighter right-of-way that allows for much higher speeds. New stations have been built outside city centres, and the old stations have been decommissioned. On 10 January 2017, the 100 km section of Djibouti side
3552-626: Is a trading hub linking Europe , the Far East , the Horn of Africa and the Persian Gulf . An estimated 2,500 ships pass through and call through the port every day. The Djibouti International Free Trade Zone (DIFTZ) is a special economic zone located to the west of the city, which is subject to different economic regulations. The city's port is the terminus for Ethiopian oil transport and export. Increase in railway infrastructure has further enabled Ethiopian and Eritrean oil products to reach
3700-453: Is composed of the prime minister , who is the head of government , as well as both senior and junior ministers . The Council of Ministers, the main executive organ of the government, was established in the Constitution in 1958. Its members meet weekly at the Élysée Palace in Paris . The meetings are presided over by the president of France , the head of state , although the officeholder
3848-463: Is dominated by trade, most local businesses have their headquarters in the city. Djibouti Telecom , the largest telecommunications company in the country, is based here. During its existence, Djibouti Airlines also had its head office in the city. Djibouti City is the financial hub to many entrepreneurial industries ranging from construction, retail, import and export, money transfer companies, and Internet cafés . Djibouti City main trading ports,
3996-464: Is done effectively and efficiently. All ministerial cabinet decisions must be co-signed by the prime minister. Any decree must also seek the prime minister's advice as well. The government is responsible for the economic and financial policy of the French Republic, must authorize all expenditures made by each ministry, and also manage all revenue. Expenditures are made through what is called
4144-420: Is filled with bazaars and souks nestled along narrow streets. Djibouti City has wide streets, restaurants , Plaza (town squares) and cafes while many of the boulevards are lined with trees. It is serves as both a center for commerce and entertainment , as well as a residential area. To accommodate the growing middle class, many new apartments and housing developments are being constructed in and around
4292-637: Is formed of three municipalities: The commune of Ras-Dika, commune of Boulaos and commune of Balbala. The Djibouti City Council elected members headed by the mayor, who serves a five-year term and appoints deputies. The mayor of Djibouti City, who has executive powers, and the National Assembly, which scrutinises the mayor's decisions and can accept or reject the mayor's budget proposals each year. They are responsible for most local services, such as local planning, schools, social services, local roads and refuse collection. Certain functions, such as waste management, are provided through joint arrangements. Djibouti City
4440-412: Is not a member of the government. The government's most senior ministers are titled as ministers of state ( ministres d'État ), followed in protocol order by ministers ( ministres ), ministers delegate ( ministres délégués ), whereas junior ministers are titled as secretaries of state ( secrétaires d'État ). All members of the government, who are appointed by the president following the recommendation of
4588-507: Is now the downtown area. They became dockers and constitute the first local proletariat. The French and natives built hotels, houses, mosques and churches. The Yemeni, Egyptian, Greek , Armenian and Italian merchants and traders flock to this promise that Djibouti represents. Additionally, the rich agricultural southern area of Ambouli continued to flourish due to an abundance of date palm farms and Orchards . Djibouti did not attract as many boats as Aden . In 1896, Léonce Lagarde became
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4736-569: Is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of Djibouti . It overlooks the Gulf of Tadjoura , with access to both the harbour and airport . The Governor's Palace of Djibouti was the seat of the governor of French Somaliland and French Territory of the Afars and the Issas from 1884 to 1977. The Regional Somali Language Academy is an intergovernmental regulating body for
4884-456: Is the largest airport in Djibouti and serves as a major gateway for travellers to the Horn of Africa and the world. Located approximately 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) from the city centre, the airport was opened in 1948. Originally a modest-sized facility, the airport grew considerably in size in the post-independence period after numerous successive renovation projects. Outbound international travel from
5032-661: Is the seat of the Government of Djibouti . Many government departments, as well as the President's residence at the presidential palace are based. The National Assembly (formerly the Chamber of Deputies) is the country's legislature consisting of 65 members elected every five years. Although unicameral, the Constitution provides for the creation of a senate . The Social Development Agency of Djibouti (Agence de Développement Sociale de Djibouti) has its head offices here, as does
5180-593: The Doraleh Container Terminal , a third major seaport intended to further develop the national transit capacity. A$ 396 million project, it has the capacity to accommodate 1.5 million 6.1-metre (20 ft) container units annually. There are also daily scheduled ferry services from the Port de Peche to Tadjoura , Obock also some other destinations in Yemen , Somalia and Eritrea . Djibouti
5328-558: The Egyptian moon god. Under French administration, from 1862 until 1894, the land to the north of the Gulf of Tadjoura was called " Obock ". While 1897 to 1967 the area was known as French Somaliland (French: Côte française des Somalis ), and from 1967 to 1977 as the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas (French: Territoire français des Afars et des Issas ). The Bab-el-Mandeb region has often been considered
5476-619: The Free French was André Bayardelle . In 1946, Djibouti received the status of overseas territory . An elected territorial assembly was created then, in 1956, a government council charged, under the chairmanship of the head of the territory , with the management of local affairs. At the same time, fiscal, customs and monetary measures are put in place to promote the development of the deep-water port, to finally compete with Aden . Port facilities are expanding considerably and can afford to accommodate 2,000 ships per year. Djibouti becomes
5624-661: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) trade bloc. Additionally, the Regional Somali Language Academy , a language regulator established in June 2013 by the governments of Djibouti , Somalia and Ethiopia , has its headquarters in the city. The architecture of Djibouti reflects the city's history since the early 1890s and is marked by both native Djiboutians , Yemeni , French and modern buildings. The old section
5772-600: The Prime Minister , currently Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed . The Council of Ministers (cabinet) is responsible to and presided over by the president. Government of France The Government of France ( French : Gouvernement français , pronounced [ɡuvɛʁnəmɑ̃ fʁɑ̃sɛ] ), officially the Government of the French Republic ( Gouvernement de la République française , [ɡuvɛʁnəmɑ̃ də la ʁepyblik fʁɑ̃sɛːz] ), exercises executive power in France . It
5920-497: The RAF launched several airstrikes on the city, prompting French official Nouailhetas to institute a brutal reign of terror against Europeans and African inhabitants of the city. Famine set in malnutrition-related diseases took many lives, 70% of them women and children and many townsfolk left for the hinterland . The locals named the blockade the carmii, a word for a type of sorghum usually reserved for cattle, but used as human food at
6068-469: The Sahil , but whose real authority did not extend very far beyond the walls of the town." Assisted by cannons and a few mercenaries armed with matchlocks , the governor succeeded in fending off incursions by both the disunited nomads of the interior, who had penetrated the area, as well as brigands in the Gulf of Aden. Although Tadjoura claimed complete independence, it was considered subordinate to Zeyla as
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6216-759: The Somali language in the Horn region. On 28 June 2013, the Government of Djibouti , the Federal Government of Somalia and the Government of Ethiopia launched the Regional Somali Language Academy at a ceremony in Djibouti City. The event was organized by Djibouti 's Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Culture and Waqf in conjunction with the Somali-Speaking PEN Centre of Djibouti, and was attended by around 50 prominent Somali-speaking intellectuals from
6364-460: The continent , was another factor that compelled observers to doubt that the French would attempt to hold on to the territory. A third independence referendum was held in the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas on 8 May 1977. The previous referendums were held in 1958 and 1967 , which rejected independence . This referendum backed independence from France . A landslide 98.8% of
6512-599: The international financial crisis . Djibouti has been considered an oasis of peace and a model of political stability in a region . Tourism in Djibouti is centered in the Djibouti region. City landmarks include historic buildings, two important public squares, and the Hall of the People. Many private companies offer organized tours of these sites. The two small Maskali and Moucha islands are situated an hour's boat ride from Djibouti. They feature madreporic mangroves , with
6660-489: The president of the Council of Ministers ( French : président du Conseil des ministres ) during the Third and Fourth Republics . All bills and some decrees must be approved by the Council of Ministers. Furthermore, it is the Council of Ministers that defines the collective political and policy direction of the government, and takes practical steps to implement that direction. In addition to writing and implementing policy,
6808-709: The 2,434 riflemen deployed, 517 were killed and 1,200 wounded in Europe. After the Italian invasion and occupation of Ethiopia in the mid-1930s, constant border skirmishes occurred between French forces in French Somaliland and Italian forces in Italian East Africa . In June 1940, during the early stages of World War II , France fell and the colony was then ruled by the pro- Axis Vichy (French) government . British and Commonwealth forces fought
6956-527: The Afars and the Issas in 1967. A decade later, the Djiboutian people voted for independence . This officially marked the establishment of the Republic of Djibouti , named after its capital city . The new state joined the United Nations in its first year. In the early 1990s, tensions over government representation led to armed conflict , which ended in a power-sharing agreement in 2000 between
7104-453: The Afars largely opting to remain associated with France. The referendum was again marred by reports of vote rigging on the part of the French authorities. Shortly after the plebiscite was held, the former Côte française des Somalis (French Somaliland) was renamed to Territoire français des Afars et des Issas . Announcement of the plebiscite results sparked civil unrest, including several deaths. France also increased its military force along
7252-615: The Afroasiatic family developed in situ in the Horn, with its speakers subsequently dispersing from there. Cut stones dated about 3 million years old have been collected in the area of Lake Abbe . In the Gobaad plain (between Dikhil and Lake Abbe), the remains of the extinct elephant Palaeoloxodon recki were also discovered, visibly butchered using basalt tools found nearby. These remains would date from 1.4 million years BCE. Subsequently, other similar sites were identified as probably
7400-523: The Commander of the patrol sloop L'Inferent reported on the Egyptian occupation in the Gulf of Tadjoura. The Commander of the patrol sloop Le Vaudreuil reported that the Egyptians were occupying the interior between Obock and Tadjoura . Emperor Yohannes IV of Ethiopia signed an accord with Great Britain to cease fighting the Egyptians and to allow the evacuation of Egyptian forces from Ethiopia and
7548-498: The Djibouti Bus Service Enterprise. The city at large serves as a point of intersection for the main roads and highways linking different parts of the country. It is one of the most accessible urban areas in the country, where one can find public and private transportation 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. A significant number of the city's residents use the local informal minibuses and taxis, which include
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#17327731376107696-500: The Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport accounts for the majority of all air passengers traveling to and from Djibouti. Due to its strategic location, the facility acts as a civil aviation hub for the rest of the country. This makes for a large number of departures and arrivals, and it is not unusual for flights to be delayed in the holding pattern before landing. The Port of Djibouti is one of
7844-579: The Egyptian garrison at Sagallo to retire to Zeila . The cruiser Seignelay reached Sagallo shortly after the Egyptians had departed. French troops occupied the fort despite protests from the British Agent in Aden , Major Frederick Mercer Hunter, who dispatched troops to safeguard British and Egyptian interests in Zeila and prevent further extension of French influence in that direction. On 14 April 1884
7992-855: The Emperor. According to Mordechai Abir, Sa'ad ad-Din II raids against the Ethiopian empire were largely hit-and-run type, which hardened the resolve of the Christian ruler to end the Muslim rule in their east. In the early 15th century, the Ethiopian Emperor who was likely Dawit I collected a large army to respond. He branded the Muslims of the surrounding area "enemies of the Lord", and invaded Ifat. After much war, Ifat's troops were defeated in 1403 on
8140-520: The Far East. The rule of Nouailhetas was too brutal for even the authoritarian leaders at Vichy to stand for. In October 1942 he was recalled and forced to retire without a pension, Following the war, he escaped to Portugal . He returned to face a military tribunal and was acquitted on 17 July 1953, which sparked outrage in Djibouti . The Commander-in-Chief, East Africa , William Platt , codenamed
8288-420: The Fleuriot de Langle to colonize the south of the Gulf of Tadjoura . On March 26, 1885, the French signed another treaty with the Issas where the latter would become a protectorate under the French. It was established between 1883 and 1887, after the ruling Somalis and Afar sultans each signed a treaty with the French . An attempt by Nikolay Ivanovitch Achinov , a Russian adventurer, to establish
8436-401: The French Ambassador to Somalia, Jean Guery, to be exchanged against two activists of FLCS members who were both serving life terms in mainland France . He was exchanged for the two FLCS members in Aden , South Yemen . The FLCS was recognized as a national liberation movement by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which participated in its financing. The FLCS evolved its demands between
8584-407: The French government cannot occupy any parliamentary office or position of occupational or trade leadership at the national level, any public employment, or any professional activity. These restrictions are in place to alleviate external pressure and influence on ministers, and to enable them to focus on their governmental work. Thus, a member of the National Assembly or the Senate who is appointed to
8732-421: The Gendarmerie Nationale Intervention Group over a bus hijacking en route to Loyada . This event, by showing the difficulties of maintaining the French colonial presence in Djibouti, was an important step in the independence of the territory . The likelihood of a third referendum appearing successful for the French had grown even dimmer. The prohibitive cost of maintaining the colony , France's last outpost on
8880-461: The Gobaad Plain. The site's ware is characterized by punctate and incision geometric designs, which bear a similarity to the Sabir culture phase 1 ceramics from Ma'layba in Southern Arabia . Long-horned humpless cattle bones have likewise been discovered at Asa Koma, suggesting that domesticated cattle were present by around 3,500 years ago. Rock art of what appear to be antelopes and a giraffe are also found at Dorra and Balho . Handoga , dated to
9028-433: The Harar plateau, Sultan Sa'ad ad-Din subsequently fled to Zeila where Ethiopian soldiers pursued him. Al-Maqrizi narrates: the Amhara pursued Sa'd al-Din as far as the peninsula of Zeila , in the ocean, where he took refuge. The Amhara besieged him there, and deprived him of water; at last one of the impious showed them a way by which they could reach him. When they came upon him a battle ensued; and after three days
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#17327731376109176-585: The Imam, each year at the time of the fairs, a perpetual annuity which the governor of Zeyla would be responsible for extracting. Tadjourah's vizier Mahammed Mahammed renewed it for the benefit of the Turkish pasha of Al-Hodeida although the Ottoman Empire never exercised political right over Tadjoura. Mohammed Al-Barr would later be succeeded as governor of Zeila and its dependencies( Sahil ) by Sharmake Ali Salih . Muhammad Ali , Pasha of Egypt , came to control Yemen , Harar , Gulf of Tadjoura with Zeila and Berbera included. The Governor Abou Baker ordered
9324-800: The Mezz Tower, SALAAM Tower and East Africa Bank. Djibouti City is the headquarters of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The Théâtre des Salines opened in 1965 as an important cultural landmark in the national capital . Open-air, in the form of an arena ; with concrete bleachers, the Théâtre des Salines is a mythical place for Djiboutians who were born before the country's independence . Indeed, this place has hosted many shows for several decades (plays, concerts, one man show etc...). The National Archives and Library of Djibouti hosts many artifacts and artistic treasures in Djibouti , it holds many culturally important artefacts , including old coins, bartering tools, traditional artwork, ancient weaponry and pottery items. The presidential palace
9472-494: The Muslim territories in the Horn of Africa in much the same way as Emperor Yekuno Amlak was attempting to consolidate the Christian territories in the highlands during the same period. In 1320 a conflict between the Christian monarch and Muslim Ifat leaders began. The conflict was precipitated by Al-Nasir Muhammad of Egypt . The Mamluk ruler Al-Nasir Muhammad was persecuting Christian Copts and destroying Coptic churches. The Ethiopian Emperor Amda Seyon I sent an envoy with
9620-441: The Nile, states Pankhurst, was nevertheless to remain with Egyptians for many centuries. Sabr ad-Din's rebellion was not an attempt to achieve independence, but to become emperor of a Muslim Ethiopia. Amda Seyon's royal chronicle states that Sabr ad-Din proclaimed: In fact, after his first incursion, Sabr ad-Din appointed governors for nearby and neighboring provinces such as Fatagar and Alamalé, as well as far-off provinces in
9768-435: The Red Sea coast of Sudan, Djibouti is considered the most likely location of the territory known to the Ancient Egyptians as Punt (or Ta Netjeru , meaning "God's Land"). The first mention of the Land of Punt dates to the 25th century BC. The Puntites were a nation of people who had close relations with Ancient Egypt during the reign of the 5th dynasty Pharaoh Sahure and the 18th dynasty Queen Hatshepsut . According to
9916-417: The Red Sea in order to obtain bitumen , copper, carved amulets, naptha and other goods transported overland and down the Dead Sea to Elat at the head of the gulf of Aqaba where they were joined with frankincense and myrrh coming north both by sea and overland along trade routes through the mountains running north along the east coast of the Red Sea. Together with northern Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea and
10064-398: The Somaliland littoral. The Egyptian garrison was withdrawn from Tadjoura . Léonce Lagarde deployed a patrol sloop to Tadjoura the following night. The boundaries of the present-day Djibouti state were established as the first French establishment in the Horn of Africa during the Scramble for Africa . The March 11, 1862, agreement the Afar sultan , Raieta Dini Ahmet, signed in Paris
10212-445: The annual precipitation falls between October and May. The city sees on average 163.5 millimetres (6.44 in) of rainfall per year. Average high temperatures range from 29 °C (84 °F) during the months of December, January and February, to about 42 °C (108 °F) in July. There are two seasons: a hot dry season from May to October and a cooler season with more precipitation from November to April (winter). The rainfall on
10360-435: The area at the bottom of Goubet (Dankalélo, not far from Devil's Island), circular stone structures and fragments of painted pottery have also been discovered. Previous investigators have also reported a fragmentary maxilla, attributed to an older form of Homo sapiens and dated to c. 250 Ka, from the valley of the Dagadlé Wadi. Pottery predating the mid-2nd millennium has been found at Asa Koma , an inland lake area on
10508-405: The battalion's companies were awarded the Croix de Guerre, and the RICM flag received the Legion of Honor. Reorganized as a combat unit by December 1916, the battalion fought at Chemin des Dames in May 1917 and later in significant battles such as Malmaison, the 3rd Battle of the Aisne, and the 2nd Battle of the Marne, earning multiple citations and the right to wear the Croix de Guerre fourragère. Of
10656-529: The capital. The banking sector is one of the principal foundations of Djibouti's economy. The financial sector of the Republic of Djibouti has grown dramatically in recent years, a process that began in the early 2000s, and that was in large part prompted by an explosion the number of exchange agencies and remittances throughout the country. The Djiboutian financial sector, with total assets of 265 billion DJF or 10.2 per cent of GDP, has not been affected by
10804-572: The century. The earliest reference to Adal was following the collapse of the Makhzumi dynasty in July 1288 when 'Ali Baziyu led a campaign in Adal and Mora which was concluded by the killing of the lords of Adal and Mora , the victorious Sultan then annexed Adal and Mora to his Kingdom. Adal is also mentioned by Marco Polo in 1295 as a state continuously in conflict with Abyssinia. According to fourteenth century Arab historian Al Umari , Adal
10952-658: The city. A local battalion from French Somaliland participated in the Liberation of France in 1944. In 1958, on the eve of neighboring Somalia's independence in 1960, a referendum was held in Djibouti to decide whether to remain with France or to be an independent country. The referendum turned out in favour of a continued association with France, partly due to a combined yes vote by the sizable Afar ethnic group and resident French. There were also allegations of widespread vote rigging . The majority of those who had voted no were Somalis who were strongly in favour of joining
11100-544: The city. A few of the building fronts have been renovated and date back to the 19th century. The Place of 27 June in the city center is also distinguished by its Moorish -inspired arches. Due to its numerous exotic edifices and structures, the city has also been likened to a European settlement. Since independence, the people of Djibouti have introduced new infrastructure and technology , which has led to new and innovative building concepts, ideas and construction techniques. Notable taller architecture in Djibouti City includes
11248-426: The climate was already beginning to change, with sources of fresh water becoming more scarce. Engravings show dromedaries (animal of arid zones), some of which are ridden by armed warriors. The sedentary people now returned to a nomadic life. Stone tumuli of various shapes and sheltering graves dating from this period have been unearthed all over the territory. The earliest recorded ancient Egyptian expedition to Punt
11396-557: The coast of Somalia . Districts within Adal included Hubat , Gidaya and Hargaya . It also occasionally included the Hadiya Sultanate . The region was mostly located in modern day Awdal and had Zeila as a capital city but also controlled other interior towns like Abasa or Dakkar extending into the Harar plateau to the south-east and modern day Djibouti in the west. The Walashma dynasty are regarded by scholars as
11544-448: The coast usually occurs between November and March, whereas further inland it falls between April and October. In the summer months, temperatures routinely exceed 40 °C (104 °F), with relative humidity at its lowest point of the year. Sunshine is abundant in the city, averaging eight to ten hours a day year-round. It is lowest during the rainy period, when there is some coastal fog and greater cloud coverage as warm air passes over
11692-532: The cool sea surface. However, precipitation is highly variable and long periods without any rainfall occur throughout the year. Unusual episodes of heavy rain sometimes occur, with a maximal 224 millimetres (8.82 in) falling in November 1949. This climate zone has summers that reach a maximum temperature of 41.7 °C (107.1 °F) and a minimum temperature of 32 °C (90 °F). Winters have average nighttime temperatures of 21 °C (70 °F) and
11840-465: The earliest cities in the world to embrace Islam , shortly after the hijra . Zeila 's two- mihrab Masjid al-Qiblatayn dates to the 7th century, and is the oldest mosque. In the late 9th century, Al-Yaqubi , an Arab Muslim scholar and traveler, wrote that the Kingdom of Adal was a small wealthy kingdom and that Zeila served as the headquarters for the kingdom, which dated back to the beginning of
11988-510: The early 1990s, tensions over government representation led to armed conflict between Djibouti's ruling People's Rally for Progress (PRP) party and the Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD) opposition group. The impasse ended in a power-sharing agreement in 2000. In April 2021, Ismael Guelleh , the second President of Djibouti since independence from France in 1977,
12136-552: The eldest son of Sa'ad ad-Din II , would return to Adal from his exile in Arabia to restore his father's throne. He would proclaim himself "king of Adal" after his return from Yemen to the Harar plateau and established his new capital at Dakkar . Sabr ad-Din III and his brothers would defeat an army of 20,000 men led by an unnamed commander hoping to restore the "lost Amhara rule". The victorious king then returned to his capital, but gave
12284-606: The electorate supported disengagement from France, officially marking Djibouti's independence . Hassan Gouled Aptidon , an Issa (ethnic Somali) politician who had campaigned for a yes vote in the referendum of 1958, became the nation's first president (1977–1999). During its first year, Djibouti joined the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union ), the Arab League , and the United Nations. In 1986,
12432-536: The ensuing period, it served as the capital of French Somaliland and its successor the French Territory of the Afars and Issas . There is evidence of human settlement on the eastern coastline of Djibouti dating back to the Bronze Age . From 1862 until 1894, the land to the north of the Gulf of Tadjoura was called Obock and was ruled by Issa and Afar Sultans , local authorities with whom France signed various treaties between 1883 and 1887 to first gain
12580-503: The first governor of the French Somali Coast, a new name for the French dependencies in the region. At the start of the 20th century, Djibouti had 10,000 inhabitants and was considered a major regional port. Its main activity remains the supply of French ships en route to Indochina or Madagascar . Only 150,000 tonnes of freight per year are handled. In addition, the railway line has not yet been fully exploited. Although
12728-534: The formation of multiple rump states such as Aussa , Tadjourah and Rahayto. Mamluk Egypt being conquered by the Ottomans alarmed the Arabian merchants, who were afraid of these new Turkish conquerors hence they chose to travel towards Adal's shores. This was also followed by Indian merchants fleeing from the same enemy. The Ottomans noticing this sudden mass movement, hastidly occupied Zeyla and established
12876-546: The founders of the Ifat Sultanate. Ifat first emerged when Umar Ibn Dunyā-ḥawaz, later to be known as Sultan Umar Walasma , carved out his own kingdom and conquered the Sultanate of Shewa located in northern Hararghe . In 1288 Sultan Wali Asma successfully imposed his rule on Hubat , Zeila and other Muslim states in the region. Taddesse Tamrat explains Sultan Walashma's military acts as an effort to consolidate
13024-428: The fourth millennium BCE, has in turn yielded obsidian microliths and plain ceramics used by early nomadic pastoralists with domesticated cattle. The site of Wakrita is a small Neolithic establishment located on a wadi in the tectonic depression of Gobaad in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa . The 2005 excavations yielded abundant ceramics that enabled us to define one Neolithic cultural facies of this region , which
13172-625: The frontier. During the 1960s, the struggle for independence was led by the Front for the Liberation of the Somali Coast (FLCS), who waged an armed struggle for independence with much of its violence aimed at French personnel. FLCS used to initiate few mounting cross-border operations into French Somaliland from Somalia and Ethiopia to attacks on French targets. On March 24, 1975, the Front de Libération de la Côte des Somalis kidnapped
13320-510: The government is responsible for national defense, and directs the actions of the French Armed Forces . The workings of the government of France are based on the principle of collegiality . Meetings of the Council of Ministers take place every Wednesday morning at the Élysée Palace. They are presided over by the president of the Republic, who promotes solidarity and collegiality amongst government ministers. These meetings follow
13468-477: The government must be registered in the government gazette . The Council of Ministers ( French : Conseil des ministres ) is established by the Constitution. It is composed only of the senior ministers, though some secretaries of state may attend Council meetings. The Council of Ministers is chaired by the president, unlike the government, but is still led by the prime minister, who was officially titled as
13616-425: The government must resign his or her seat in order to serve as a minister or as the prime minister. Despite these restrictions, members of the government are allowed to keep local elected positions , such as those of city mayor or regional councilor. While the Constitution of the French Republic does not prohibit ministers from being the leader of a political party, it is customary that ministers should not occupy such
13764-415: The government of Djibouti has launched a major campaign to combat illegal immigration , citing security and public health concerns. The majority of local residents speak Somali (303,100 speakers) or Afar (101,200 speakers) as a first language, which are the mother tongues of the Somali and Afar ethnic groups, respectively and the two main demographic groups in the city. Both languages belong to
13912-472: The height of the famine. The head doctor at the hospital committed suicide in despair. Only a few Arab dhows (boutres) managed to run the blockade to Djibouti and Obock and only two French ships from Madagascar managed to run it. The Japanese declaration of war (7 December 1941) gave the colony some respite, since the Royal Navy were forced to withdraw all but two ships from the blockade for use in
14060-735: The initial French efforts to establish commercial influence in the region proved to be unsuccessful enough to require a government bailout, the Franco-Ethiopian Railway itself was a success and allowed Djibouti's commerce to quickly eclipse the former caravan-based trade carried on with nearby Zeila in British Somaliland . Djibouti became the center of exports from southern Ethiopia and the Ogaden , including trade in Harari coffee and khat . Djibouti began to develop as
14208-453: The island, revealing it as the "Land of the Gods, a region far to the east in the direction of the sunrise, blessed with products for religious purposes", where traders returned with gold, ivory, ebony , incense , aromatic resins, animal skins, live animals, eye-makeup cosmetics, fragrant woods, and cinnamon. During the reign of Queen Hatshepsut in the 15th century BC, ships regularly crossed
14356-519: The larger Afroasiatic family. There are two official languages in Djibouti: Arabic (Afroasiatic) and French ( Indo-European ). Arabic is of social, cultural and religious importance. In formal settings, it consists of Modern Standard Arabic . Colloquially, about 40,000 local residents speak the Ta'izzi-Adeni Arabic dialect, also known as Southern Yemeni Arabic due to Yemeni immigrants. French
14504-468: The largest and busiest seaports in the Horn region . As of 2013, the container terminal at the port handles the bulk of the nation's trade. About 70% of the seaport's activity consists of imports to and exports from neighboring Ethiopia, which depends on the harbour as its main maritime outlet. The port also serves as an international refueling center and transshipment hub. In 2012, the Djiboutian government in collaboration with DP World started construction on
14652-623: The medieval historian al-Makrizi , Emperor Dawit I in 1403 pursued the Sultan of Adal , Sa'ad ad-Din II , to Zeila, where he killed the Sultan and sacked the city of Zeila . However, another contemporary source dates the death of Sa'ad ad-Din II to 1410, and credits Emperor Yeshaq with the slaying. His children and the remainder of the Walashma dynasty would flee to Yemen where they would live in exile until 1415. In 1415, Sabr ad-Din III ,
14800-442: The minister in running a ministry. Members of ministerial cabinets are powerful figures within the government and work in both the political and administrative spheres. The hierarchy in each ministerial cabinet is determined by the minister. Working groups consisting of representatives from several ministries are commonplace. It is the duty of the prime minister to oversee these inter-ministry meetings and to ensure that government work
14948-529: The ministers. In addition, the minister of foreign affairs provides the Council with weekly updates on important international issues. Most government work, however, is done elsewhere. Much of it is done by each individual ministry, under the direction of the minister responsible for that ministry. Ministers each have their own staff, called a "ministerial cabinet" ( French : Cabinet ministériel ). Each ministerial cabinet consists of around ten to twenty members, who are political appointees. Cabinet members assist
15096-519: The mysterious land of Punt. In the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt , Hatshepsut built a Red Sea fleet to facilitate trade between the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and points south as far as Punt to bring mortuary goods to Karnak in exchange for Nubian gold. Hatshepsut personally made the most famous ancient Egyptian expedition that sailed to Punt. Her artists revealing much about the royals, inhabitants, habitation and variety of trees on
15244-454: The name is disputed. There are several theories and legends about its origin, varying based on ethnicity. One theory derives it from the Afar word gabouti , meaning "plate", possibly referring to the area's geographical features. Another connects it to gabood , meaning "upland/plateau". Djibouti could also mean "Land of Tehuti " or "Land of Thoth ( Egyptian : Djehuti / Djehuty )", after
15392-527: The nascent republic was also among the founding members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development regional development organization. During the Ogaden War , influential Issa politicians envisioned a Greater Djibouti or "Issa-land", where Djibouti's borders would extend from the Red Sea to Dire Dawa . That dream was dashed towards the end of the war as Somali forces were routed from Ethiopia. In
15540-454: The nation is the site of various foreign military bases. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) regional body also has its headquarters in Djibouti City. Djibouti is officially known as the Republic of Djibouti . In local languages it is known as Gabuuti (in Afar ) and Jabuuti (in Somali ). The country is named for its capital, the City of Djibouti . The etymology of
15688-631: The negotiations for the surrender of French Somaliland "Pentagon", because there were five sides: himself, the Vichy governor, the Free French , the British minister at Addis Ababa and the United States. Christian Raimond Dupont surrendered and Colonel Raynal's troops crossed back into French Somaliland on 26 December 1942, completing its liberation. The official handover took place at 10:00 p.m. on 28 December. The first governor appointed under
15836-597: The neighboring Italians during the East African Campaign . In 1941, the Italians were defeated and the Vichy forces in French Somaliland were isolated. The Vichy French administration continued to hold out in the colony for over a year after the Italian collapse. In response, the British blockaded the port of Djibouti City but it could not prevent local French from providing information on the passing ship convoys. In 1942, about 4,000 British troops occupied
15984-593: The north like Damot , Amhara , Angot , Inderta , Begemder , and Gojjam . He also threatened to plant khat at the capital, a stimulant used by Muslims but forbidden to Ethiopian Orthodox Christians . In 1376, Sultan Sa'ad ad-Din Abdul Muhammad , also called Sa'ad ad-Din II, succeeded his brother and came to power, who continued to attack the Abyssinian Christian army. He attacked regional chiefs such as at Zalan and Hadeya, who supported
16132-553: The oldest evidence of herding in the region, and they provide a better understanding of the development of Neolithic societies in this region. Up to 4000 years BCE, the region benefited from a climate very different from the one it knows today and probably close to the Mediterranean climate . The water resources were numerous with lakes in Gobaad, lakes Assal and Abbé larger and resembling real bodies of water. The humans therefore lived by gathering, fishing and hunting. The region
16280-666: The order to his many followers to continue and extend the war against the Christians. The Emperor of Ethiopia Tewodros I was soon killed by the Adal Sultanate upon the return of Sa'ad ad-Din's heirs to the Horn of Africa. Sabr ad-Din III died a natural death and was succeeded by his brother Mansur ad-Din who invaded the capital and royal seat of the Solomonic Empire and drove Emperor Dawit I to Yedaya where according to al-Maqrizi , Sultan Mansur destroyed
16428-497: The population fell after the completion of the railwayline to Dire Dawa and the original company failed and required a government bail-out, the rail link allowed the territory to quickly supersede the caravan-based trade carried on at Zeila (then in the British area of Somaliland ) and become the premier port for coffee and other goods leaving southern Ethiopia and the Ogaden through Harar . The 6th Somali Marching Battalion
16576-588: The prime minister, are responsible to the National Assembly , the lower house of the French Parliament . Cases of ministerial misconduct are tried before the Cour de Justice de la République . All members of the French government are appointed by the president of the Republic on the advice of the prime minister. Members of the government are ranked in a precise order, which is established at
16724-458: The prime minister, compromising separation of powers . If the government decides to launch an armed operation with a duration of longer than four months, it must first consult parliament and request an authorization. The prime minister may convene parliament for extraordinary sessions, or add additional sitting days to the legislative calendar. The names of ministries change often in France. This
16872-590: The region and elsewhere. Among the guests were Somalia 's Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications Abdullahi Elmoge Hersi , Somaliland ’s Minister of Culture Abiib Diriye Nur, and the Vice President of the Somali Region of Ethiopia Abdihakim Igal Omar. Djibouti has several public parks. The largest of these is the Lagarde Park . Djibouti City economy, like that of Djibouti ,
17020-666: The request of integration in a possible " Greater Somalia " influenced by the Somali government or the simple independence of the territory. In 1975 the African People's League for the Independence (LPAI) and FLCS met in Kampala , Uganda with several meeting later they finally opted for independence path, causing tensions with Somalia . In 1976, members of the Front de Libération de la Côte des Somalis which sought Djibouti's independence from France , also clashed with
17168-416: The rest of Africa and Asia. It is then that this point begins to be used as departure for caravans towards Harar . The French subsequently founded Djibouti in 1888, in a previously uninhabited stretch of coast. According to one account, this was due to "its superiority to Obok both in respect to harbour accommodation and in nearness to Harrar ." Ambouli was a small village before the French arrived it
17316-441: The ruling party and the opposition. Djibouti is a multi-ethnic nation with a population of 1,066,809 at the census held on 20 May 2024 ( the smallest in mainland Africa). French and Arabic are its two official languages; Afar and Somali are national languages. About 94% of Djiboutians adhere to Islam , which is the official religion and has been predominant in the region for more than 1,000 years. The Somalis and Afar make up
17464-412: The seat of the medieval Adal and Ifat Sultanates. In the late 19th century, the colony of French Somaliland was established after the ruling Dir Somali and Afar sultans signed treaties with the French, and its railroad to Dire Dawa (and later Addis Ababa ) allowed it to quickly supersede Zeila as the port for southern Ethiopia and the Ogaden . It was renamed the French Territory of
17612-523: The settlement was made the capital of French Somaliland . The main purpose of the French interest in colonizing the region was to protect their trade routes to Madagascar and Indochina from the encroachment of other European powers. The town later grew considerably in size following the construction of the Franco-Ethiopian Railway . In 1895, Djibouti, which, not so long ago, was just a peninsula , already had 5,000 inhabitants . Many Issa and Afar nomads left their herds to settle here, built houses on what
17760-415: The small local Catholic population, which it estimates numbered around 7,000 individuals in 2006. Among the places of worship , they are predominantly Muslim mosques. There are also Christian churches and temples : Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church , Roman Catholic Diocese of Djibouti ( Catholic Church ), Protestant churches , Evangelical Churches . Djibouti has the distinction of being both
17908-522: The span of fourteen years the Imam was able to conquer the heartland of the country, wreaking havoc on the Christian nation. The Bahri Negash joined Emperor Gelawdewos and the Portuguese in the decisive Battle of Wayna Daga , where tradition states that Imam Ahmad was shot in the chest by a Portuguese musketeer named João de Castilho, who had charged alone into the Muslim lines and died. The wounded Imam
18056-414: The succeeding French Territory of the Afars and Issas . When Djibouti declared Independence on 27 June 1977, the population of Djibouti was over 110,000, the city has served as the administrative and commercial capital of the Republic of Djibouti. Djibouti has an arid climate ( Köppen : BWh ). It is characterised by very hot rainless summers and a very warm, slightly wetter winter season. Most of
18204-415: The successive waves of immigrants and refugees arriving throughout the 20th century. Many of the immigrants arrived from Ethiopia and Somalia in 1985 and 1991. In 2001 many undocumented immigrants , were expelled from Djibouti. Another mass wave of Yemeni refugees from Yemen arrived in 2015. Djibouti City was nicknamed the "French Hong Kong in the Red Sea" due to its cosmopolitan urbanism. In 2023,
18352-486: The sultan would received an annual stipend from the local governor. Abubakr Pasha explained to Vice-Admiral Alphonse Fleuriot de Langle that when the Imam of Sana'a still controlled the Yemeni coast, some soldiers sent to Tadjoura were one day massacred by the inhabitants of the city. The governor of Mocha then dispatched a new detachment to avenge them. Rather than suffer these reprisals, the city preferred to commit to paying
18500-458: The temple murals at Deir el-Bahari , the Land of Punt was ruled at that time by King Parahu and Queen Ati. The Adal (also Awdal , Adl , or Adel ) was centered around Zeila , its capital. It was established by the local Somali clans in the early 9th century. Zeila attracted merchants from around the world, contributing to the wealth of the city. Zeila is an ancient city and it was one of
18648-615: The territory formerly ruled by the Ifat Sultanate, as well as the land further east all the way from the Bab el Mandeb to Cape Guardafui, according to Leo Africanus. Adal is mentioned by name in the 14th century in the context of the battles between the Muslims of the Somali and Afar seaboard and the Abyssinian King Amda Seyon I 's Christian troops. Adal originally had its capital in the port city of Zeila, situated in
18796-436: The time of government formation. In this hierarchy, the prime minister is the head of government. They are appointed by the president of the Republic. While the president is constitutionally free to appoint whomever they like, in practice, they must nominate a candidate that reflects the will of the majority of the National Assembly, as the government relies on the confidence of the French Parliament. After being nominated to lead
18944-499: The town. The anti-aircraft fire was intense and two Italian aircraft failed to return, but fires and explosions were seen in Djibouti. Overnight, several waves of Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 bombers attacked the port facilities. After the France fell and the colony was then ruled by the pro-Axis Vichy (French) government . By that time, the Allied offensive against the Italians included a blockade of French Somaliland . On 25 September
19092-574: The two largest ethnic groups, with the former comprising the majority of the population. Both speak a language of the Cushitic branch of the Afroasiatic languages . Djibouti is near some of the world's busiest shipping lanes, controlling access to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean . It serves as a key refuelling and transshipment center and the principal maritime port for imports from and exports to neighboring Ethiopia . A burgeoning commercial hub,
19240-627: The water failed. Sa'd al Din was wounded in the forehead and fell to the ground, whereupon they pierced him with their swords. But he died happily, falling in God's cause. After Sa'ad ad-Din's death “the strength of the Muslims was abated”, as Maqrizi states, and then the Amhara settled in the country “and from the ravaged mosques and they made churches”. The followers of Islam were said to have been harassed for over twenty years. The sources disagree on which Ethiopian Emperor conducted this campaign. According to
19388-487: The western Awdal region. The polity at the time was an Emirate in the larger Ifat Sultanate ruled by the Walashma dynasty . According to I.M. Lewis, the polity was governed by local dynasties consisting of Somalized Arabs or Arabized Somalis, who also ruled over the similarly established Sultanate of Mogadishu in the Benadir region to the south. Adal's history from this founding period forth would be characterized by
19536-462: The work of Homo ergaster . An Acheulean site (from 800,000 to 400,000 years BCE), where stone was cut, was excavated in the 1990s, in Gombourta, between Damerdjog and Loyada , 15 km south of Djibouti City . Finally, in Gobaad, a Homo erectus jaw was found, dating from 100,000 BCE. On Devil's Island , tools dating back 6,000 years have been found, which were used to open shells. In
19684-527: The wreck as a promontory of a new deep-water port , connecting it to the Marabout plateau by a 700-meter jetty. The idea was accepted and work began in 1931. The first phase was completed in 1935 and considerably increased port and rail traffic. An oil terminal was built in 1937. During the Second World War , Djibouti was hit by Italian airstrikes on 21 June 1940, which killed many people in
19832-470: Was re-elected for his fifth term. Djibouti is a unitary presidential republic , with executive power resting in the presidency, which is by turn dominant over the cabinet, and legislative power in both the government and the National Assembly . The president , Ismaïl Omar Guelleh , is the prominent figure in Djiboutian politics—the head of state and commander-in-chief . The president exercises their executive power assisted by their appointee,
19980-593: Was a military leader of the medieval Adal Sultanate in the northern Horn of Africa. Between 1529 and 1543, he embarked on a campaign referred to as the Futuh Al-Habash , bringing the three-quarters of Christian Abyssinia under the control of the Muslim empire. With an army composed of Afar, Harari (Harla), and Somalis, al-Ghazi's forces came close to extinguishing the ancient Ethiopian kingdom, slaughtering any Ethiopian who refused to convert to Islam. Within
20128-513: Was a treaty where the Afars sold lands surrounding in Obock . The French were interested in having a coaling station for steamships , which would become especially important upon the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. (Up to that time French ships had to buy coal at the British port of Aden across the gulf, an unwise dependency in case of war.) Later on, that treaty was used by the captain of
20276-526: Was about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) south of Ras Djiboutil, Ambouli is identifies the city with Canbala by O.G.S. Crawford . Canbala appears in Muhammad al-Idrisi 's map of 1192 on the coast of the Horn of Africa , southeast of the straits of Bab-el-Mandeb , and with Cambaleh, a town where the Venetian traveler Bragadino, a thirteenth-century European visitor to Ethiopia , resided for eight years. In 1896,
20424-474: Was also identified at the nearby site of Asa Koma . The faunal remains confirm the importance of fishing in Neolithic settlements close to Lake Abbé , but also the importance of bovine husbandry and, for the first time in this area, evidence for caprine herding practices. Radiocarbon dating places this occupation at the beginning of the 2nd millennium BCE, similar in range to Asa Koma. These two sites represent
20572-427: Was also met with demonstrations and rioting. In response to the protests, de Gaulle ordered another referendum. In 1967, a second plebiscite was held to determine the fate of the territory. Initial results supported a continued but looser relationship with France. Voting was also divided along ethnic lines, with the resident Somalis generally voting for independence, with the goal of eventual union with Somalia, and
20720-546: Was celebrated in popular literature in the Tale of the Shipwrecked Sailor . In the reign of Mentuhotep III (11th dynasty, ca. 2000 BC), an officer named Hannu organized one or more voyages to Punt, but it is uncertain whether he personally traveled on these expeditions. Trading missions of the 12th dynasty pharaohs Senusret I , Amenemhat II and Amenemhat IV had also successfully navigated their way to and from
20868-698: Was formed in Madagascar on May 11, 1916, with recruits from the French Somali Coast and renamed the 1st Battalion of Somali Tirailleurs upon arrival in France in June. Originally intended as a staging unit, the battalion’s officers responded to the Somalis' desire to fight, leading to their participation alongside the RICM in the October 1916 assault on Fort Douaumont. For their distinguished role,
21016-412: Was growing rapidly, from officially about 17,000 inhabitants in 1947. In 1949, the plan of Djibouti consisted of four main features: a hierarchical system of streets laid out in a grid, large blocks consisting of small-scale domestic dwellings, the organization of these blocks around central open spaces, and the concentration of cultural institutions to form a civic center. It then became the headquarters of
21164-449: Was inaugurated in a ceremony held in the new station by Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Ethiopia's prime minister Hailemariam Dessalegn . There are two local railway stations: a passenger station at Nagad , and a freight station at the Port of Doraleh . Djibouti is twinned with the following places: Djibouti Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti ,
21312-460: Was inherited from the colonial period and is the primary language of instruction. About 14,200 Djiboutians speak it as a first language. Immigrant languages include Omani Arabic (38,900 speakers) and Amharic (1,400 speakers). Djibouti's population is predominantly Muslim . Islam is observed by 94% of the nation's population (around 740,000 as of 2012), whereas the remaining 6% of residents are Christian adherents. The Diocese of Djibouti serves
21460-588: Was one of the founding regions of the Ifat Sultanate alongside Biqulzar , Shewa , Kwelgora , Shimi, Jamme and Laboo. It was used ambiguously in the medieval era to indicate the Muslim inhabitant low land portion east of the Ethiopian Empire . Including north of the Awash River towards Lake Abbe in modern Djibouti–Ethiopia border as well as the territory between Shewa and Zeila on
21608-716: Was organized by Pharaoh Sahure of the Fifth Dynasty (25th century BC), returning with cargoes of antyue and Puntites. However, gold from Punt is recorded as having been in Egypt as early as the time of Pharaoh Khufu of the Fourth Dynasty . Subsequently, there were more expeditions to Punt in the Sixth , Eleventh , Twelfth and Eighteenth dynasties of Egypt. In the Twelfth Dynasty, trade with Punt
21756-445: Was populated by a very rich fauna: felines , buffaloes , elephants , rhinos , etc., as evidenced, for example, by the bestiary of cave paintings at Balho . In the 3rd and 2nd millennia BCE, few nomads settled around the lakes and practiced fishing and cattle breeding. The burial of an 18-year-old woman, dating from this period, as well as the bones of hunted animals, bone tools and small jewels have been unearthed. By about 1500 BCE,
21904-416: Was then beheaded by an Ethiopian cavalry commander, Azmach Calite. Once the Imam's soldiers learned of his death, they fled the battlefield. This conflict provided an opportunity for the Oromo people to conquer and migrate into the historically Gafat land of Welega south of the Blue Nile and eastward to the walls of Harar , establishing new territories. The collapse of the Adal Sultanate led to
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