Djibouti is a very small country located on the horn of Africa. It is so small that it has an estimated population of less than a million, one of the least populous in Africa. France, which had colonized the country, had named it French Somaliland. On 27 June 1977, Djibouti gained independence from France. At the time, it was the last of France’s colonies in Africa. The country changed its name to Djibouti, after its biggest city, and it became known as the Republic of Djibouti. Hassan Gouled Aptidon became the country’s first president.
eventREF E-0086262Revised
27 June 1977
Djibouti, France’s last colony, gains independence
- Updated
- 26 Jun 2020
How we know this
- 01US department of State (2012) Background Note: Djibouti [online] Available at: www.state.gov[Accessed on 20 June 2012]
- 02African History Djibouti Timeline -- Part 1: Prehistory to Independence from About [online] Available at: https://africanhistory.about.com [Accessed on 20 June 2012]
Last updated · 26 Jun 2020
South African History Online. (2012, June 20). Djibouti, France’s last colony, gains independence. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0086262
South African History Online (2012) 'Djibouti, France’s last colony, gains independence', South African History Online, 20 June. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0086262 (Accessed: 26 October 2026).
South African History Online, Djibouti, France’s last colony, gains independence [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0086262, (accessed 26 October 2026).
"Djibouti, France’s last colony, gains independence." South African History Online, 20 June 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0086262. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.
South African History Online. "Djibouti, France’s last colony, gains independence." South African History Online. June 20, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0086262.
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