Djibouti Foreign Relations

Djibouti gained its independence in the year 1977 and post independence Djibouti has maintained close relationships with France and Arabic countries. Both of them are great sources of foreign aid and assistance to Djibouti. Djibouti foreign relations also include relations with East Asian countries like Japan and China. To foster amiable foreign relations, Djibouti has become the member of the Arab League, Organization of African Unity and Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Djibouti has also joined the Global War on Terror post 11th September 2001.

Djibouti holds French military units post Independence. The United States also opened military units and started their operation in the year 2002. The favorable Djibouti Foreign relations with the United States have fetched considerable amount of foreign aids from the country.

Djibouti also tries to maintain good relations with neighboring states of Somalia and Ethiopia. The political unrest of these countries greatly affects Djibouti. The fall of the Siad Barre and Mengistu governments in Somalia and Ethiopia in the year 1992 led to influx of thousands of refugees. The drought in Somalia too brought huge number of refugees to Djibouti. Djibouti played a major role to bring in peace in Somalia by hosting a number of Somali Reconciliation Conferences. Djibouti also established Transitional National Government as an endeavor to promote peace in Somalia. The Eritrean-Ethiopian War in 1998 – 2000 made Djibouti’s foreign relationship with Eritrea strenuous. But the relationship was renewed by the initiatives of President Ismail Omar Guelleh.