Difference between revisions of "Djiboutian Civil War" - New World Encyclopedia
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| + | The '''Djiboutian Civil War''' (also known as the '''Afar Insurgency''') was a conflict in [[Djibouti]] between the People's Rally for Progress (RPP) government (predominantly Ciise in [[ethnicity]]) and the predominantly Afar rebel group, the Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD). This [[civil war]] broke out in [[1991]] as a reaction to the lack of Afar presence in the government (despite being the first largest ethnic group in Djibouti at 58 percent, behind [[Somalia||Somali]] clans]] like the Ciise who comprise about 35 percent). FRUD signed a peace accord with the government in December 1994 which introduced a new power-sharing arrangement. Although some insurgents kept fighting until May 200i, peace and stability was restored. Two FRUD members were made cabinet members, and in the presidential elections of 1999 the FRUD campaigned in support of the RPP. | ||
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| + | However, the war and the flow of Somalian refugees from the [[Somali Civil War]] into Djibouti continues to damage [[economic]] recovery. The government of Djibouti has played a leading role in trying to create stable government in Somalia, launching a [[peace]]-process in 1999. | ||
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| + | ==Colonial Background== | ||
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| + | The small North East African state of Djibouti was part of the Greater Somalian region ruled by Emirs and Chiefs. In the 1862, the 's the [[France|French]] purchased territory on the coast. On the Gulf of [[Aden]], this was strategically based for French commercial and military purposes. This coastal town was later expanded as the French colony of Afars and the Issas. In 1888, the [[Great Britain|British]] and the French reached an agreement about the border between their respective Somalian territories. French interest in the region was to counter increased British power. In the early nineteenth century, the French complete a railroad linking Djibouti with [[Ethiopia]], and facilitating trade. In 1957 the colony became a department of France, with its own elected legislature. In a 1966 referendum of whether to continue as a French overseas department, 60 percent of the population voted yes. However, an independence movement began to gather momentum over next decade and when a referendum was held in 1977, the majority voted to severe the political association with France. Independent Djibouti was born. However, ties with France remain strong. The largest overseas French military base is located there. There is also a [[United States|US]] base. | ||
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| + | ==Independence== | ||
| + | Independence saw [[Hassan Gouled Aptidon]] of the Rassemblement Populaire pour le Progrès (RPP) (People's Rally for Progress) as President. In 1981, he changed Djibouti into a one party state. Aptidon privileged his own clan, the | ||
| + | Members of the Afars community felt excluded and discriminated against. Multiple party elections were held in 1993, although only three parties were allowed to enter candidates, the Rassemblement Populaire Pour le Progres (People's Rally for Progress) (RPP) the Parti du Renouveau Democratique (The Party for Democratic Renewal) (PRD), and the Parti National Democratique (National Democratic Party) (PND). Only the RPP and the PRD actually contested elections because the PND withdrew, claiming that the election was rigged. In the election, only half of eligible voters cast ballots and the RPP won every single seat. By November 1991, civil war has started. The Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD), representing the Afar community, began to attack government forces in a war that devastated the country over the next three years. | ||
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"Only place in Africa where ethnicity was the only cause of civilconflict is Djiboiti:, In burundi, Chad, Rwanda and Sudan ethnicity was a factor" but "not the sole precipitant of the conflict: kieh, page 43. | "Only place in Africa where ethnicity was the only cause of civilconflict is Djiboiti:, In burundi, Chad, Rwanda and Sudan ethnicity was a factor" but "not the sole precipitant of the conflict: kieh, page 43. | ||
| + | ==Notes== | ||
| + | {{reflist}} | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* Hartzell, Caroline A., and Matthew Hoddie. 2007. ''Crafting peace: power-sharing institutions and the negotiated settlement of civil wars.'' University Park, Pa: Pennsylvania State University Press. ISBN 9780271032078 | * Hartzell, Caroline A., and Matthew Hoddie. 2007. ''Crafting peace: power-sharing institutions and the negotiated settlement of civil wars.'' University Park, Pa: Pennsylvania State University Press. ISBN 9780271032078 | ||
Revision as of 05:17, 22 September 2008
The Djiboutian Civil War (also known as the Afar Insurgency) was a conflict in Djibouti between the People's Rally for Progress (RPP) government (predominantly Ciise in ethnicity) and the predominantly Afar rebel group, the Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD). This civil war broke out in 1991 as a reaction to the lack of Afar presence in the government (despite being the first largest ethnic group in Djibouti at 58 percent, behind |Somali clans]] like the Ciise who comprise about 35 percent). FRUD signed a peace accord with the government in December 1994 which introduced a new power-sharing arrangement. Although some insurgents kept fighting until May 200i, peace and stability was restored. Two FRUD members were made cabinet members, and in the presidential elections of 1999 the FRUD campaigned in support of the RPP.
However, the war and the flow of Somalian refugees from the Somali Civil War into Djibouti continues to damage economic recovery. The government of Djibouti has played a leading role in trying to create stable government in Somalia, launching a peace-process in 1999.
Colonial Background
The small North East African state of Djibouti was part of the Greater Somalian region ruled by Emirs and Chiefs. In the 1862, the 's the French purchased territory on the coast. On the Gulf of Aden, this was strategically based for French commercial and military purposes. This coastal town was later expanded as the French colony of Afars and the Issas. In 1888, the British and the French reached an agreement about the border between their respective Somalian territories. French interest in the region was to counter increased British power. In the early nineteenth century, the French complete a railroad linking Djibouti with Ethiopia, and facilitating trade. In 1957 the colony became a department of France, with its own elected legislature. In a 1966 referendum of whether to continue as a French overseas department, 60 percent of the population voted yes. However, an independence movement began to gather momentum over next decade and when a referendum was held in 1977, the majority voted to severe the political association with France. Independent Djibouti was born. However, ties with France remain strong. The largest overseas French military base is located there. There is also a US base.
Independence
Independence saw Hassan Gouled Aptidon of the Rassemblement Populaire pour le Progrès (RPP) (People's Rally for Progress) as President. In 1981, he changed Djibouti into a one party state. Aptidon privileged his own clan, the Members of the Afars community felt excluded and discriminated against. Multiple party elections were held in 1993, although only three parties were allowed to enter candidates, the Rassemblement Populaire Pour le Progres (People's Rally for Progress) (RPP) the Parti du Renouveau Democratique (The Party for Democratic Renewal) (PRD), and the Parti National Democratique (National Democratic Party) (PND). Only the RPP and the PRD actually contested elections because the PND withdrew, claiming that the election was rigged. In the election, only half of eligible voters cast ballots and the RPP won every single seat. By November 1991, civil war has started. The Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD), representing the Afar community, began to attack government forces in a war that devastated the country over the next three years.
"Only place in Africa where ethnicity was the only cause of civilconflict is Djiboiti:, In burundi, Chad, Rwanda and Sudan ethnicity was a factor" but "not the sole precipitant of the conflict: kieh, page 43.
Notes
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Hartzell, Caroline A., and Matthew Hoddie. 2007. Crafting peace: power-sharing institutions and the negotiated settlement of civil wars. University Park, Pa: Pennsylvania State University Press. ISBN 9780271032078
- Kieh, George Klay, and Ida Rousseau Mukenge. 2002. Zones of conflict in Africa theories and cases. Westport, Conn: Praeger. 9780313010835
- Koburger, Charles W. 1992. Naval strategy east of Suez: the role of Djibouti. New York: Praeger. ISBN 9780275941161
- Makinda, Sam. 1992. Security in the Horn of Africa. London: Brassey's for the International Institute for Strategic Studies. ISBN 9781857530322
External links
es:Guerra Civil Yibutiana
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