Occasional Paper no 2 (new series)
Djibouti: Africa’s microstate with a military stronghold
Goitseone Maswabi and Lebo Mosebua
The Republic of Djibouti is one of the smallest African countries, coming in at only 23 200 square kilometres. Although small, Djibouti is located strategically on the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. In addition, Djibouti is located not far off from one of the busiest and most important waterways in the world, the Suez Canal. Both the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aden are crucial channels for both national and international trade.
Besides its reality as a landlocked East African country, the country only has 1 000 square kilometres of arable land, which has led to a chronic food security crisis for its population of 1 011 507. Indeed, the average Djiboutian spends 83% more on food and other essentials than the average South African. This has created a harsh reality for the more than 23% of Djiboutians already living in extreme poverty. In spite of its agricultural and economic challenges, Djibouti is viewed as an attractive location for global superpowers that wish to set up military base in the horn of Africa and has become a military home away from home for several international superpowers. This Occasional Paper surveys the dynamics surrounding this strategic African microstate.
