Djibouti Country Handbook 1
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Djibouti Country Handbook 1. This handbook provides basic reference information on Djibouti, including its geography, history, government, military forces, and communications and transportation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military personnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their assignment to Djibouti. 2. This product is published under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Defense Intelligence Production Program (DoDIPP) with the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity designated as the community coordinator for the Country Handbook Program. This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense Intelligence Community position on Djibouti. 3. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and government personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, NATO member countries, and other countries as required and designated for support of coalition operations. 4. The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for research, comment, and information reporting, and are intended for fair use by designated personnel in their official duties, including local reproduction for training. Further dissemination of copyrighted material contained in this document, to include excerpts and graphics, is strictly prohibited under Title 17, U.S. Code. CONTENTS KEY FACTS . 1 U.S. Mission . 2 U.S. Embassy . 2 Travel Advisories . 4 Entry Requirements . 4 Customs Restrictions . 5 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE . 5 Geography . 5 Boundaries . 7 Topography . 7 Drainage . 7 Coastal Area . 9 Vegetation . 11 Phenomena . 11 Climate. 12 Environment . 13 TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION . 14 Transportation . 14 Roads . 14 Rail . 16 Air . 16 Maritime . 18 Cross-country Mobility. 20 iii Contents (Continued) Communication . 21 Radio . 21 Television . 21 Telephone and Telegraph . 22 Newspaper and Magazines . 22 Satellites . 23 Postal Services . 23 Banking . 23 CULTURE . 23 Statistics . 24 Society . 24 Education and Literacy . 24 Religion . 26 Language . 27 Recreation . 27 Food and Drink . 27 Social Customs and Courtesies . 28 Dress . 28 Relationships . 29 Living Conditions . 29 Djibouti City . 30 Cultural Considerations . 31 MEDICAL ASSESSMENT . 32 Infectious Disease Risks to Deployed Personnel . 32 Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases . 32 Vectorborne Diseases . 32 Sexually Transmitted Diseases . 32 Environmental Risks . 33 Medical Capabilities . 33 Civilian Health Care . 33 Military Health Care . 34 Medical Treatment/Evacuation Facilities . 34 iv Contents (Continued) HISTORY . 36 Early History . 36 Colonialism . 36 Independence . 37 Independent Djibouti . 37 Chronology . 39 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS . 40 Government . 40 Executive Branch . 40 Legislative Branch . 41 Judicial Branch . 41 Suffrage . 43 Key Government Officials . 43 Politics . 43 Parties and Pressure Groups . 43 Foreign Relations . 44 NGOs . 47 ECONOMY . 48 Statistics . 48 Labor . 48 Livestock . 49 Fishing . 49 Aid . 49 Trade . 50 Services . 50 Khat . 51 THREAT . 51 Crime . 51 Travel Security . 51 Terrorism . 52 v Contents (Continued) Drug Trafficking . 53 Threat to U.S. Personnel . 53 ARMED FORCES . 53 Organization . ..