Home > Djibouti > Djibouti History > Djibouti Civil War

Djibouti Civil War

by Aakash Singha

The country of Djibouti suffered internecine wars from 1991 to 1994. The Djibouti Civil War was between the Issa and Afar tribes of Africa.


The Djibouti Civil War started in 1991 and ended in 1994. The Civil War in Djibouti ravaged the economy of the east African country and stymied its political aspirations on the world map.

The African country of Djibouti gained independence from France in 1977. Djibouti is populated by two dominant tribes- the majority Somali origin Issa tribe and the substantial minority Afar tribe. The Afar is the native tribe of Djibouti. The Issa tribe controls substantial political power in Djibouti. The first premier of Djibouti- President Hassan Gouled Aptidon was of Issa origin. This uneven power sharing between the two tribes led to the Civil War of Djibouti which ravaged the country for four long years. The Djibouti Civil War destroyed the economy of the African nation.

The politically sidelined Afars formed the Restoration of Unity and Democracy political faction and began to fight the Issa-dominated Djibouti government in November 1991. The Restoration of Unity and Democracy is popularly known by its French initials FRUD. The Afars dominated the Djibouti landscape in the western and northern parts of the African country. The Issas had total control over the southern part. French Peacekeeping forces were sent to restore peace in the war-ravaged east African country in 1992. The fighting subsided to some extent with the formation of the multi-party political system in 1994.

Related Maps