Early
Djibouti:
The area presently marked as the geographical boundaries of
Djibouti had for years been a point of interest and attempted
conquest by a number of foreign nations. This is mainly due
to the country’s ample location off the gulf of Aden and
its key position along the busy trade routes. French interest
in
the area began in the 19th Century and by 1862, there was an
established presence in Djibouti. It became a French colony
in 1896 and part of the French Union in 1946. In 1967, the colony
was renamed the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas.
Djibouti attained its independence on the 27th of June 1977.
Independent Djibouti:
Hassan Gouled Aptidon the first President of the independent
Djibouti established a single party state and ruled the country
until 1999. Starting in the early 1990s, the country was faced
with civil conflict between government forces and Afar Rebels.
A peace treaty was signed in 2001 bringing an end to the conflict.
Political reforms took place in the country to allow for a multi-party
democracy. In 1999, the first multi-party elections were held,
won by President Ismail Omar Guelleh.
