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The Republic of Djibouti is the second smallest country in Africa. This dry, desert enclave on the Red Sea coast of Africa between Ethiopia and Somalia is reputed to be the world’s hottest country. Plagued by drought and limited natural resources and industry, this country suffers from at least 50% unemployment.

Djibouti is ethnically diverse, due to its strategic location at the crossroads of trade and commerce. Ethnic Somalis make up 60% of the people, 35% are Afar, with French, Arab, and other minorities making up the remaining five percent. The population is estimated at 496,374 (July 2007), and over 80% of the people live in the capital also called Djibouti.

Islam in Djibouti

The Somali and Afar tribes in this region were among the first in the Africa to adopt Islam. They worked as traders with close links to the Arabian Peninsula. Despite this over 1,000 year Islamic heritage, Djibouti, is much more tolerant to Christianity and open than its neighbours. Foreigners can live and work in Djibouti with relative ease. There is a free press and open access to the internet. The former Islamic Shari’a Court was replaced by the Family Court in February 2004.

The two main people groups of Djibouti are Somalis (mostly Issas) and Afars. The Afars are Cushitic, related to Somalis but culturally and linguistically distinct. There are between 1-2 million Afars scattered between Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Eritrea but only a handful have entered the Kingdom of God. In the capital there is a small fellowship of believers. They live in a poor, overcrowded area with minimal services and difficult living conditions. A group of Afar ladies are discovering the Bible in their own language.

Dreams and Visions

Among the Somalis, there are a few small groups of Christians that meet together. They tell of wonderful dreams which they have had, about how the Messiah handed them His Word while giving them water to drink and fruit to eat, and telling them not to worry, that He will care for them. Dreams are very important to the Somali believers because they cannot read. God uses his own means to speak to them.

Some people among the significant Ethiopian Christian minority in the country have a real vision and skill for reaching their Afar and Somali neighbours. They pray, sometimes whole nights of prayer, for their fellow refugees and the city of Djibouti. Let us believe together that united prayers will bring blessing to the city (Jeremiah 29:7).

Prayer Points:

* In the past, tribalism and factions and leadership struggles have split them apart the different ethnic groups. A civil war (1991-1994) officially ended in 2001. In order for this not to happen again mutual respect and vision for the future are needed.

* Pray that the city of Djibouti will become a haven of true peace, and a lighthouse, shining into Somalia, Ethiopia, and the Middle-East.

* Several Christians have been able to give practical help through education, literacy, agricultural and translation programs. Pray that these efforts will bear much fruit.

* Pray for the establishment of indigenous churches among the Afars and the Somalis. There are daily Gospel radio broadcasts in the Afar and Somali languages.

Background on Djibouti (World Factbook)

The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON installed an authoritarian one-party state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999. Unrest among the Afars minority during the 1990s led to a civil war that ended in 2001. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the mouth of the Red Sea and serves as an important transshipment location for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands. The present leadership favors close ties to France, which maintains a significant military presence in the country, but is also developing stronger ties with the US.

Economics of Djibouti

The economy is based on service activities connected with the country’s strategic location and status as a free trade zone in northeast Africa. Two-thirds of the inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. An unemployment rate of 50% continues to be a major problem. Faced with a multitude of economic difficulties, the government has fallen in arrears.

Statistics for Djibouti

Population: 506,221 (July 2008 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: 43.31 years

Ethnic groups: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (includes French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian)

Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6%

Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar

Literacy: 67.9% - male: 78%, female: 58.4%

Djibouti - Video

Short video around the streets of Djibouti

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