The Horn of Africa has become a hotbed for extremist activities, terrorist groups and piracy due to its diverse cultures, large Muslim populations, and poor economies. All of these components threaten the peace and stability of the area and affect many countries abroad. The United States plays a major role in assisting countries in the Horn of Africa to ensure stability and security. The Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) was created to accomplish this mission in the region. Djibouti stands out as a country in this region that plays a large role in assisting the United States to protect its interests in the area. Djibouti’s current culture is shaped by its strategic location on the Gulf of Aden, its mixed ethnic …show more content…
Djibouti’s location has played a major role in defining its two major ethnic groups. Prior to the 16th century, the two major ethnicities were the Issa and the Afar people. Through the centuries, peoples from the Arabian Peninsula, Somalia, and Ethiopia all migrated to Djibouti and integrated into either the Issa or Afar tribes. The migrant Somalis integrated with the Issa tribes to become the modern day Issa-Somalis; while the Afar tribes were first descendents of Arabs that eventually allied with the Ethiopians. Centuries before colonization, both the Afar and Issa-Somalis became Sunni Muslims. In the late 1800’s, France began colonizing the country and established French Somaliland which united the Issa-Somalis and Afar. After nearly a century of French rule, Djibouti gained its independence in 1977. Djibouti’s modern culture has been formed by the social and cultural similarities between originally nomadic-pastoral populations that speak related languages, adhere to Islam, and share a way of life (“Culture of Djibouti,” 2011). Their current culture is strongly tied to the countries surrounding it and has proven that different ethnic groups can come together to become a peaceful and stable state. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry; therefore, it is heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. (“The World Factbook,” 2011). The
Colonial rule began in the mid 1800s and divided the land inhabited by ethnic Somalis into several territories. The French controlled the northernmost region (the area that is now Djibouti), the British colonized northern
The history of Somalia is a bloody one, filled with failed occupation, anarchy and civil war. Early Somalia established itself as a merchant state. Its key geographical location by the natural strait between the Horn of Africa and Yemen made it a focal point for trade.This essay will explore the history of internal struggles of the Somalilands and its many wars. It will investigate the colonial influences and conflicts between Somalia and its imperial occupiers and how these influences set the stage for future conflicts between the clans. Also, it will attempt to define the reasons why Somalia has become a failed state. The importance of United States foreign policies will be discussed as they have
Imperialism is defined as one country’s domination of the political, economic, and social life of another country. In Africa in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, imperialism was present and growing. The main countries involved in the imperialism in Africa were the French, German, and Great Britain. The French’s empire was mainly in North and West Africa while Britain’s colonies were scattered throughout the continent. Germany ruled over such countries as Tanganyika, Togoland, and Cameroon, until their defeat in World War I.
It is generally accepted by scholars and scientists today that Africa is the original home of man. One of the most tragic misconceptions of historical thought has been the belief that Black Africa had no history before European colonization. Whites foster the image of Africa as a barbarous and savage continent torn by tribal warfare for centuries. It was a common assumption of nineteenth-century European and American Whites - promoted by the deliberate cultivation of pseudoscientific racism - that Africans were inferior to Whites and were devoid of any trace of civilization or culture.
West Africa experienced social impact of Islam and its own inner progress delivered incredible creative achievements. Capable state, such a Mali and Songhay, depended more on military power and dynastic partnerships than on ethnic or social solidarity. There was the advancement of city-states, with strong merchant communities in west Africa and the Indian Ocean shoreline of east Africa that demonstrated likenesses to urban improvements of Italy and Germany in this period. Be that as it may, there were abberations between the advancements and belief systems of European and Africans and contrasts in the ways their social orders created. Northern Africa and the east African drift were somewhat fused into the Arab Muslim world. New focuses of human progress and political power emerged in sub-Saharan Africa, showing the geographic dispersion of development. Bantu relocation and the development of substantial states in the western Sudan
Since the beginning of modern civilization, man has had a burning desire for land. European nations in particular are well known for being those of imperialists, the act of extending a nation’s power or economy through the process of acquiring land. The strive for power in Africa can be seen dating back to the late 18th century, and continued throughout the early 20th. Europeans practiced imperialism in Africa for several centuries for reasons including economic opportunities, national pride, and the interpreted moral responsibilities.
The actions of the developed nations were justified in regards to imperialism in Africa. Europe desired to gain not only more land, but more power. The Europeans nations and the United States took control over Asia, Africa, and South America. Taking over Africa had its negative effects but overall it was the most feasible and justifiable arrangement.
In the early 1880’s, the powers of Europe started to take control of regions in Africa and set up colonies there. In the beginning, colonization caused the Africans little harm, but before long, the Europeans started to take complete control of wherever they went. The Europeans used their advanced knowledge and technology to easily maneuver through the vast African landscape and used advanced weapons to take control of the African people and their land. The countries that claimed the most land and had the most significant effect on Africa were France, England, Belgium, and Germany. There were many reasons for the European countries to be competing against each other to gain colonies in Africa. One of the main reasons was that the
Djibouti. A small country in Africa. People may know it by its funny name. But, did you know that Djibouti has the second lowest point in the world? Djibouti is affected everyday by its geography, politics, social behavior, religion and economy.Djibouti is a small nation on the Horn of Africa about the size of New Jersey. Djibouti borders the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It is the lowest point in Africa and the second lowest point in the world! Djibouti is regularly hot and dry. Days that are humid can bring temperatures up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. When it's colder out, during the cold season that's October- April, temperatures are normally between 80-89 degrees Fahrenheit. Djibouti lacks vegetation, groundwater, and arable land. The average
diplomacy or military force. In the 20th century many European countries attempted to colonize the great continent of Africa. Europeans saw Africa as an area they would be able to profit from, as it had a great climate, good size, and some phenomenal natural resources. While the Europeans divided the continent of Africa they failed to see the possible negative effects on themselves, and the indigenous people of Africa. Their foresight was limited to only the positive outcomes.
Most people speak their own native language the Issa, Somali or the Afar. Across ethnic groups, the main language used daily for communication was Somali. The official religion in Djibouti was Islam, and most people were Sunni Muslim. It was a major role in the Djiboutians daily lives. Men gather in the local Mosque or open area for a special prayer service. Women prefer the privacy in their house to pray. A lot of Djiboutians mix their beliefs with religion, like they pray for blessings, good health, and protection for their ancestors. A Small groups of people, mostly practices foreigner’s religions like Christian, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholic. Many people were Muslims in Djibouti and they start their conversation by greeting the other person first. Man will not shake a woman’s hand. They shake another man’s hand by using two hands to hold their hands. After shaking hands, they touch their heart as a sign of respect. Some women greeting other women by a kiss on both cheeks like the French greeting. Small group of Djiboutians were educated outside the country do not exchange the kiss on both cheeks to people of the opposite
There are several countries which are located within the Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa AOR. This paper will discuss the cultural influence of the Republic of Djibouti as well as its influence on bordering countries within its region. Additionally, this paper will portray Djibouti’s global significance and its effect on United States interest within the AOR. Historically, Djibouti’s strategic location and status as a free trade zone within the Horn of Africa has played a major role in this country’s importance throughout the globe. Hence, Djibouti maintains relationships with numerous countries and to date openly welcomes negotiations with other countries that can contribute to the country’s economic development. Continued
Al-Shabaab as a terrorist group poses a significant threat in Somalia and in the global community. This paper will start by discussing the background. In this part the paper will show how the group has evolved from Al-Ittihad Al-Islam (AIAI) to the Islamic Court Union (ICU) and lastly to Al-Shabaab. Before discussing the group’s threat of national security, homeland and international, this paper will provide the conceptual meaning of key terminology, such as national security, homeland security, international security and globalization. It is important to understand these concepts before moving toward the main argument of the paper. After providing the framework for key concepts, the paper will discuss the group’s threat to Somalia in two areas, national security and homeland security. The paper will go further and identify the threats posed by the group on other nations’ homeland security and international security. We will use East African countries and the United States examples. The paper will provide evidence to support how globalization has shaped and fueled the threats from Al-Shabaab. It will then discuss the primary response from the United States and from African countries through AMISOM. The paper will provide the way forward and suggestions for the response of the international community to Al-Shabaab. In conclusion, we will try to alert the international community that although the group has been experience hard times in Somalia, it is unwise to
When someone mentions World War Two the first thing that comes to mind is probably D-Day or Pearl Harbor or maybe even Berlin, while the North African Campaign is often forgotten. Three of the notable campaigns that occurred in Africa at this time were Operation Torch, Operation Tunisia, and the Western Desert Campaign; These campaigns took place from June 10th, 1940 to May 13th, 1943. When talking about any war or great struggle, there are three things to know: who were influential figures of this struggle, what methods or types of warfare they used, and what were the important victories or defeats.
Algeria was not always been independent and has been a part of several border and authority changes. Since its independency, Algeria has struggled to define its cultural identity. Several strategies have been employed to gain ground on its identity, such as promoting a policy of Arabization, loosening up the economy, and opening their political sphere. “Today the Algerian government seeks not only to sustain the recent ebb in violence and insecurity but also to promote greater unity within the country” (Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, 2011).