Djibouti, France’s last colony, gains independence

Date: 27 Jun 1977
Updated: 26 Jun 2020

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.

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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

Cite this entry

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: 21 August 2026).

South African History Online, Djibouti, France’s last colony, gains independence [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0086262, (accessed 21 August 2026).

"Djibouti, France’s last colony, gains independence." South African History Online, 20 June 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0086262. Accessed 21 Aug. 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.