Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia persist due to the MoU signed with Somaliland. Speaking before the parliamentary assembly, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that "Ethiopia does not intend to cause any harm to its friend, Somalia." These statements come after a unified response from the international community in support of Somalia, with the US, China, and the European Union expressing their support for Mogadishu. Despite Addis Ababa's attempt to ease tensions, relations between the parties remain strained, as demonstrated during the African Union General Assembly on February 17th and 18th. The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused Ethiopian security forces of attempting to prevent President Hassan Sheikh from participating in the Assembly's proceedings. This accusation was rejected by the Addis Ababa government, which claimed that the Mogadishu delegation had tried to enter the AU headquarters armed. Hassan Sheikh, who participated in the proceedings as usual, stated that his delegation had been subjected to intimidating behavior due to his government's denunciation of the MoU with Somaliland for access to the port of Berbera. The latest twist in the matter was the Somali parliament's rejection of the agreement's ratification. The Hargeisa parliament rejected the deal, labeling it "illegal" and calling it a "threat to the unity of the people of Somaliland," urging the executive to withdraw the MoU and halt the ratification process. Meanwhile, internal tensions in the country show no signs of abating. The Ethiopian parliament extended the state of emergency in the Amhara region, and the crisis in Tigray has worsened. The Tigrayan population denounces livestock theft and kidnappings conducted by the Eritrean army. The federal government has met with the Tigray regional executive in the context of the humanitarian crisis affecting the northern region. The Tigrayan delegation, led by interim president Getachew Reda, accused Addis Ababa of deliberately ignoring the famine affecting the region, accusations rejected by Addis Ababa, which states that the deaths in Tigray cannot be attributed to a humanitarian crisis.Inizio modulo
The war in Sudan shows no signs of abating. According to reports from the RSF and SAF commands, high-ranking officials from both factions allegedly met in Bahrain three times during January in the presence of representatives from the United States and Saudi Arabia. Details regarding the progress and the subject matter of these meetings have not been disclosed. Meanwhile, the US has imposed new sanctions against the belligerent entities. The US Department of the Treasury has announced sanctions on Alkhaleej Bank and Al-Fakher Advanced Works, both owned by RSF's Hemedti, and Zadna International, associated with the Sudanese regular army. The conflict also continues on the propaganda front. The head of the RSF, General Hemedti, declared that his forces are ready to militarily resolve the conflict in a matter of weeks in an audio message addressed to army generals: "We do not seek war, but as long as it is your choice, you must be prepared." In this context, the de facto leader of the Sudanese government, General Al-Burhan, has blocked humanitarian aid access to areas controlled by the RSF, warning that deliveries will not resume until the RSF is defeated. The month concluded with reports from the SAF on the advancement of their forces in the strategic center of Omdurman, which were denied by the RSF.
Kenya continues to grapple with its financial crisis. President Ruto has announced plans to repurchase a portion of treasury bonds during the February-March period, and then seek coverage for the remaining portion of public debt from private partners in the markets. The government's privatization process is also progressing, with the announcement of the sale of seven state-owned enterprises, including the Development Bank of Kenya. The rest of the companies being put on the market are all in the hospitality sector. Positive data has also emerged regarding the revenues of the Port of Mombasa, which have increased by 6.23% annually, demonstrating how the infrastructure can withstand competition from the Port of Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania. Meanwhile, Kenyan Secretary of Defense Aden Dualey, during a visit to Washington, declared that Nairobi will continue to stand by the United States in the mission to secure maritime traffic in the Red Sea. Nairobi's decision is influenced not only by its privileged relationship with the USA but also by the risks stemming from the economic implications on maritime transportation costs following Houthi attacks. President William Ruto has been invited by President Biden to the White House to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations in May, coinciding with the sixtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Download the February 2024 reportHead of state | Ismail Omar Guelleh |
Head of Government | Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed |
Institutional Form | Semi-presidential Republic |
Capital | Djibouti City |
Legislative Power | Unicameral Legislative Assembly (65 Members of Parliament elected every year) |
Judicial Power | Supreme Court; Constitutional Council |
Ambassador to Italy | Ayeid Mousseid Yahya (Ambassador in France, also responsible for Italy) |
Total Area kmq | 23,300 km2 |
Land | 22.980 km2 |
Weather | Tropical-desert climate on the coast and in the north of the country, and semi-desert on the central-southern heights |
Natural resources | geothermal energy, gold, clay, marble, limestone, granite, salt, plaster, diatomaceous earth, pumice, oil |
Economic summary | The main resources of economy are imports and the service activities connected to the strategic position of the Djiboutian port on the Red Sea. Unemployment rate: 40%. Youth unemployment rate: about 80% |
GDP | $3.37 billion (December 2021) |
Pro-capite GDP (Purchasing power parity) | $5.394 (December 2021) |
Exports | $4.94 billion (DJF 2020/2021) |
Export partner | Ethiopia 31.3%, China 27.5%, India 10%, Saudi Arabia 9.98%, Egypt 3.2%, UK 3.8%, South Korea 2.8%, UAE 1.5%, Malaysia 1.9% (2020) |
Imports | $5.37 billion (DJF 2020/2021) |
Import partner | China 43%, UAE 14%, India 6.2%, Türkiye 5.9%, Morocco 4.6%, Indonesia 3.6%, Japan 1.8% (2020) |
Trade With Italy | $18,9 million (2020) |
Population | 957.273 (2022) |
Population Growth | +1.97 (2022 est.) |
Ethnicities | Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other groups 5% (especially Yemenis, French, Ethiopians and Italians) |
Languages | French and Arabic |
Religions | Islam 94% and Christianity 6% (foreigner residents) |
Urbanization | 78.4% |
Literacy | 70% |
Independent since 1977, Djibouti is a small and semi-desertic country. Located in East Africa, it borders with Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somaliland. With a population of over 900,000 inhabitants, its official languages are Arabic and French.
Its strategic position on the Bab el Mandeb Strait, which separates the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden, allows it not only to operate as a key logistics hub for international trade, but also to play an important role for security in the region. The country hosts various foreign military bases, including an Italian one.
Total trade with Italy amounts to $18.9 million (2021). In 2020, Djibouti signed a military cooperation agreement with Italy. The treaty sets several objectives directly affecting Italy and security in the broader Mediterranean, such as the strengthening of mutual defensive capabilities, the fight against piracy in the Horn of Africa and the development of the supply and logistics sectors of both countries. Other areas of cooperation include humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, the organisation of Djiboutian armed forces, military training and military health.