HISTORY

The Horn of Africa has always been a cultural and commercial crossroads between Africa, Asia and  Arabia in particular. Contacts with Arab countries intensified in the 7^th century with the propagation of Islam in this region and the creation of Muslim kingdoms. The first strong  relations with Europe date back to 1839. In 1862 the local chiefs signed treaties with the French who founded Djibouti in 1888, the capital city of the Republic of Djibouti. The territory became a colony under the name of Cote Française des Somalis ( The Somalis’ French Coast ) then Territoire des Afars et des Issas ( the Afar and Issa Territory) in 1967. After three decades of protests and contestings spurred by LPAI( ligue populaire pour l’independance) the colonial power organized a referendum on May 8 1977; then  in the majority of the population voted for independence.

The country acceded to independence on 27 June 1977 under the name Republic of Djibouty and Hassan Gouled Aptidon was designated first President of the country. A one party-regime RPP ( Rassemblement Pour le Progres ) presided over the country’s affairs.

An armed rebellion ignited in 1991 in the north of the country. A new constitution introducing multiparty politics in the Republic of Djibouti was voted in 1992. Peace agreements  were signed in December 1994 between the government and FRUD( Front pour la Restauration de l’Unite et de la Democratie )

Presidential elections were organized in May 1999 and a new President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh was elected.

The government and the FRUD’s armed branch signed a peace agreement on May 12 2001 which establishes peace forever in the Republic of Djibouti. These negotiations lasted for 12 months.