Djibouti

This country, occupying territory not quite the size of New Jersey, is strategically located. Its geographic position enables it to aid trade between Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Historically part of the Kingdom of Punt, Djibouti and its neighbors were controlled by Arab sultanates, the Ottomans, and Egyptians in succession. It was a treaty between a Sultanate and the French that carved the current country of Djibouti and established it as French Somaliland. Djibouti voluntarily remained a part of France until 1977, when it voted for independence.

Unfortunately, the government system held and increased great centralized authority under leaders who have remained in office as long as they could maintain power. A civil war broke out in the 90’s and was resolved in 2000. These factors combined with natural disasters have placed many citizens in great want, and have hampered educational development.

French and Arabic are the country’s official languages, although Somali and Afar are also spoken among the ethnicities that bear those names. Djibouti has long been in the grasp of Islam: one of its cities being among the first to adopt the religion when it came to the continent. Its governmental system is a combination of French and Islamic laws. Ninety-five percent of its nine hundred thousand residents are Sunni Muslim. Business; however, opens the door for foreigners to come to this country.

Missionaries in Djibouti:

Missionaries in Africa (listed with BIMI account numbers)