DJIBOUTI

SYNOPSIS

SYNDICATE-03
 SYNDICATE COMPOSITION

SER RANK AND NAME ACADEMY NO.

1. MID AMARDEEP PATNAIK 3284/97
2. MID ARAVIND V 3186/97

3. MID ASHWANI KUMAR SINGH 3176/97

4. MID HARIPRAKASAM V M 3192/97
5. MID YASH RAJPUT 3890/97MSc
6. MID SHUBHAM BHATIA 3888/97MSc
7. MID R HARITEJA 3889/97MSc
8. MID VIVEK SINGH 3175/97
9. MID SHUBHMANPREET SINGH 3178/97
10. MID SAURABH SHARMA 3182/97

97 MSc & INAC GUIDED BY: LT CDR ABHISHEK PRABHAT

INDIAN NAVAL ACADEMY
 SYNOPSIS REMARKS

Guide Officer:

Oi/c STT:

Training Captain (Coord):

Principal Director (Training):

Deputy Commandant:
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

SER CONTENT PAGE NO.

1. DJIBOUTI-A BURGEONING COMMERCIAL HUB 1

2. FOREIGN MILITARY BASES 5

3. CHINA AND DJIBOUTI 7

4. INDIA AND DJIBOUTI 9

5. OPERATIONS BY NAVY 10

6. PRESENT STATUS OF INDO- DJIBOUTI 12

RELATIONS
7. CONCLUSION 13
 DJIBOUTI- A BURGEONING COMMERCIAL HUB

Geographical Location

1. Republic of Djibouti is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by

Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The
remainder of the border is formed by the Red sea and the gulf of Aden at the east. Djibouti
occupies an area of 23200kms.

History

2. In Antiquity, the territory together with Somalia was a part of the Land of Punt.
Nearby zeila, now in Somalia, was the seat of the medieval Adal and Ifat Sultanates. In the
late 19th century, the colony of french Somaliland was established following treaties signed
by the ruling Somali and Afar sultans with the French and its railroad to Dire Dawa(and
later Addis Ababa) allowed it to quickly supersede Zeila as the port for southern Ethiopia
and the Ogaden. It was subsequently renamed to the French Territory of the Afars and the
Issas in 1967. A decade later, the Djiboutian people voted for independence. This officially
marked the establishment of the Republic of Djibouti, named after its capital city. Djibouti
joined the United Nations the same year, on 20 September 1977.

Importance of Location

3. Djibouti is strategically located near some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes,
controlling access to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. It serves as a key refuelling and
transshipment center, and is the principal maritime port for imports from and exports to
neighbouring Ethiopia. A burgeoning commercial hub, the nation is the site of various
foreign military bases, including Camp Lemonnier. The Intergovernmental Authority on
Djibouti headquarters Inter Governmental Authority on Development(IGAD), the Regional
Economic Communities in East Africa. IGAD member states are Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia,
Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan Development. Djiboutian ports overlook waters that
account for 25% of the world’s exports that flow into Asian and Mediterranean markets.

People

4. Djibouti is a multi-ethnic nation with a population of over 884,017 inhabitants, which

is the smallest in mainland Africa. French and Arabic are the country’s two official
languages. About 94% of residents adhere to Islam, which is the official religion and has
been predominant in the region for more than a thousand years. The Somali(Issa clan)
and Afar make up the two largest ethnic groups. Both speak Afro-asiatic languages.

Governance

5. The President, currently Ismail Omar Guelleh, is the prominent figure in Djiboutian
politics. The head of state and commander-in-chief. The President exercises their
executive power assisted by their appointee, the Prime Minister, currently Abdoulkader
Kamil Mohammed. The Council of Ministers(cabinet) is responsible to and presided over
by the President.

6. The judicial system consists of courts of instance, a High Court of Appeal, and a
Supreme Court. The legal system is a blend of French Civil Law and customary law(Xeer)
of the Somali and Afar peoples. The National Assembly(formerly the Chamber of
Deputies) is the country’s legislature, consisting of 65 members elected every five years.
Although unicarmel, the Constituion provides for the creation of a Senate.
Foreign Relations

7. Foreign relations of Djibouti are managed by the Djiboutian Ministry of Foreign

Affairs and International Cooperation. Djibouti maintains close ties with the governments of
Somalia, Ethiopia, France and the United States. Ties with Somalia are especially close,
as Djiboutian Somalis often identify themselves with their brethren to the south. Relations
with Eritrea are tense due to territorial claims over the Ras Doumeira peninsula. Since the
2000s, the Djiboutian authorities have strengthened ties with China. Djibouti is likewise an
active participant in Arab League and African Union affairs.

Military

8. The Djibouti Armed Forces include the Djibouti National Army, which consists of the
Coastal Navy, the Djiboutian Air Force (Force Aerienne Djiboutienne, FAD), and the
National Gendarmerie( GN). As of 2011, the manpower available for military service was
170,386 males and 221,411 females aged 16 to 49. Djibouti spent over US$ 36 million
annually on its military as of 2011. After independence, Djibouti had two regiments
commanded by French Officers. In the early 2000s, it looked outward for a model of army
organization that would best advance defensive capabilities by restructuring forces into
smaller, more mobile units instead of traditional divisions. As the headquarters of the IGAD
regional body, Djibouti has been an active participants in the Somali peace process,
hosting the Arta conferrence in 2000. Following the establishment of the Federal
Government of Somalia in the 2012, a Djibouti delegation also attended the inauguration
ceremony of Somalia’s new President. In recent years, Djibouti has improved its training
techniques, military command and information structures and has taken steps to becoming
more self-reliant in supplying its military to collaborate with the United Nations in
peacekeeping missions, or to provide military help to countries that officially ask for it. Now
deployed to Somalia and Sudan.
 FOREIGN MILITARY BASES

9. Djibouti's strategic location by the Bab-el-Mandeln Strait, which separates the Gulf
of Aden from the Red Sea and controls the approaches to the Suez Canal, has made it a
desirable location for foreign military bases. Camp Lemonnier was abandoned by the
French and later leased to the United States Central Command in 2001; the lease was
renewed in 2014 for another 20 years. The 13th Demi-Brigade of the French Foreign
Legion is still stationed in Djibouti as the largest French military presence abroad, the only
one commanded by a 3-star general. The country also hosts the only overseas Chinese
support base and the only overseas Japanese military base. The Italian National Support
Military Base is also located in Djibouti. The hosting of foreign military bases is an
important part of Djibouti's economy. The United States pays $63 million a year to rent
Camp Lemonnier, France and Japan each pay about $30 million a year, and China pays
$20 million a year. The lease payments added up to more than 5% of Djibouti's GDP of
US$2.3 billion in 2017.
10. In addition to hosting many Western military bases including those by France, Italy
and USA, Djibouti has also become a focal point for counter-terrorism activities on the
African continent and the training of special forces in neighboring countries. Saudi Arabia
is also setting up a military base in Djibouti. While Djibouti has approached Turkey to set
up a base, Russia has shown interests.
 CHINA AND DJIBOUTI

11. People’s Republic Of China-Djibouti relations refers to the current and historical
relationship the peoples Republic of China and Djibouti. China and Djibouti established
relation on January 8,1979. China has financed a number of public works projects in
Djibouti including a stadium, the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People’s
Palace. In september 2010, Type 920 Hospital Ship also known as “Peace Ark”, visited
Djibouti.

Works Undertaken By The Chinese

12. Chinese Government have undertaken the following projects in Djibouti:-

(I) $8.2 million to fund the construction of a Hospital in Arta.
(ii) A $2.41 million grant for the construction of a new headquarters for the
Djiboutian Foreign Minister.
(iii) $1.75 million in food aid during a drought in Djibouti in 2005.

Chinese Military Base

13. In 2016, construction began on a Chinese Naval outpost in Djibouti. The site was
slated to become China’s overseas military installation. According to Djiboutian Minister of
Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the 90 acre plot would likely house only 300
Chinese troops and would require the Chinese government the pay Djiboutian government
$20 million annually for ten years with an option for an additional period of ten years. The
base started functioning in 2017 and Chinese have already spent about $600 million for
making the base operational. The base is expected to boost China’s global and regional
power projection and is integral part of the Strings of Pearl policy of the Chinese.
 INDIA AND DJIBOUTI RELATIONS

14. Historical links, cultural affinities and people-to-people contacts between India and
Djibouti has existed long before India’s independence in 1947 and Djibouti’s independence
in 1977. The port of Adulis was the hub of maritime trade where Indian seafarers have
flocked trading in spices and silk for gold and ivory. The Honorary Consul of India has
been functioning on Djibouti since 1969 till date. Djibouti opened its Embassy in New Delhi
in 2004. 2. Due to these long standing historical links and India’s contribution in the field of
education and training, especially for the Somali speaking population many of whom have
been taught by Indian teachers, Djibouti is keen to improve it bilateral relations with India
especially in the area of capacity building. Djibouti extended extraordinary support during
Operation Rahat in April 2015 in the evacuation of Indians and other nationals from war-
torn Yemen. Djibouti is also hosting our Embassy of India to Yemen in Djibouti till normalcy
returns in Yemen.
 OPERATIONS BY INDIAN NAVY

15. Indian ships make regular calls at the Port of Djibouti on transit and for joint
exercise with US and French navies. Djibouti remains very hospitable to the visits of Indian
ships. To combat the menace of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and in the Red Sea, India has
sent naval ships since November 2008 for Operational Turn Around followed by anti-piracy
patrol. Further, a number of Indian Naval Ships have been visiting Djibouti for OTRs for
antipiracy operations in the gulf.

16. Exercise Varuna 19.2 between Indian and French Navy was carried out of Djibouti
with Djibouti port being used for OTRs.

Bilateral Treaties And Agreement

17. The following treaties have been signed between the Indian and Djiboutian
Government:-.
(i) Bilateral investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) signed at
New Delhi on 19th May 2003.
(ii) Civil Aviation Agreement signed at New Delhi on 19th may 2003.
(iii) Cultural Cooperation Agreement signed between India and Djibouti on
31st January 1989 and Executive Programme of Cultural, Education and Scientific
Cooperation for the year 2003-2005 singed at New Delhi on 19th May 2003.
 (iv) Pan-African e-Network Agreement signed Between TCIL and Djibouti on
21st June 2006.

International Solar Association

18. Djibouti has supported the International Solar Alliance initiated by India and France
in Paris on 30 November, 2015 on the sidelines of the CoP-21 Summit. Djibouti is one of
the first signatories of the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement.

Indian Community In Djibouti

19. There are around 400-500 Indians either settled or employed in Djibouti. The oldest
Indian community consists of Gujarati traders and entrepreneurs from Rajkot and
Jamnagar. Less than half a dozen such families are remaining in Djibouti. The new Indian
arrivals to Djibouti include corporate employees, professionals, including bankers,
accountants, IT professionals and skilled workers in the hotel and port expansion projects.
The companies involved in the Doraleh Port Project have also engaged a number of Indian
experts and technicians. A number of Indians are also working in the Djibouti Port and
refinery project. Indian workers are also shifted from UAE to work on their projects in
Djibouti. These workers however return back to UAE after execution of the project. Indian
Hony Consul General Nalin Kothari was awarded the Pravasi Bharathiya Samman in
2017.
 PRESENT STATUS OF THE RELATIONS

20. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, the Dijibouti President was conferred with Padma Vibhushan,
India’s second highest civilian award on January 26 th 2019 for his role in safe evacuation
of Indian citizens from Yemen.

21. President Guelleh has visited India twice over past four years – first as part of the
third edition of the India-Africa Summit and on that occasion he met PM Modi. Later he
was here for the International Solar Alliance Summit.

22. India has opened a centre of leadership and entrepreneurship in Djibouti at the
request of its President.

23. President Ram Nath Kovind visited Djibouti in 2017 to cultivate Djibouti not only as
part of its rejuvenated Africa policy and Indo-Pacific strategy but also because of the
reason that Djibouti was the base for evacuation of Indians from war torn Yemen.

24. India has also shown interest in setting up a military base in Djibouti to establish a
maritime partnership with the country strategically located in the Horn of Africa.
 CONCLUSION

25. Djibouti despite being a small country and having the least population in the
continent is the base to highest number of foreign military bases in the world. The country
is located in the Horn of Africa and thus this strategic location is integral for combating
piracy as well as keeping a watch on the Gulf of Aden, entry to Suez Canal and Red Sea.
China is investing heavily to develop military base in Djibouti as the port is integral in
Strings of Pearls Doctrine of the Chinese. India has also developed good relations with
Djibouti. Djibouti helped India is evacuating Indians from Yemen during Operation Rahat.
India is also looking forward to establish a military base in Djibouti as a Naval Forward
operating base which will help in boosting India’s commitment to combat piracy as well as
protect her ships passing through the Gulf.