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Sub Saharan Africa

Djibouti

 Flag of Djibouti

Map of Djibouti Last reviewed: 23 October 2008

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HISTORY

Djibouti was first known as French Somaliland when it was established as a French colony in 1888. Independence came relatively late: in 1967 a majority of the population voted in a referendum to remain part of the French Community. The country was then renamed the French Territory of the Afars and Issas (the 2 principal ethnic groups). Djibouti gained independence in 1977.

Hassan Gouled Aptidon (an Issa-Somali) became the first President and remained in charge until he opted to step down in 1999. He established a one party state dominated by the Rassemblement Populaire pour le Progres (RPP). From 1991-6 the Afars in the North of the country conducted a rebellion against the government, led by the Front pour la Restauration de l'Unite et de la Democratie (FRUD). The civil war ended with the signature of peace and national reconciliation accords in 1996. Ahmed Dini, who led the Afar insurgency from 1991 to 1994, signed an agreement with the government in 2001 and led an opposition party until his death in 2004.

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