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Writing up tomorrow& #39;s newsletter on Djibouti& #39;s foreign policy and it has taken a turn.
Djibouti& #39;s relationship with it& #39;s neighbouring countries is quite intricate, as tribes & ethnic groups span many modern-day borders.
So one would see Djibouti& #39;s policy over the decades.. 1/7
Djibouti& #39;s relationship with it& #39;s neighbouring countries is quite intricate, as tribes & ethnic groups span many modern-day borders.
So one would see Djibouti& #39;s policy over the decades.. 1/7
..be informed against a backdrop of allegiance to the ethnic group/tribe which was skewed towards Somali& #39;s & discriminatory against Afars.
This would prop up in speeches by Somalis through the usage of language pertaining to kinship & family as reasons to support XYZ. 2/7
This would prop up in speeches by Somalis through the usage of language pertaining to kinship & family as reasons to support XYZ. 2/7
This phenomenon would be coupled with the marginalisation & vilification of local Afars since gaining independence, despite flowery speeches by politicians on Afar-Somali unity.
In other instances, Djibouti& #39;s policy towards it& #39;s neighbours would be one aimed at maintaining.. 3/7
In other instances, Djibouti& #39;s policy towards it& #39;s neighbours would be one aimed at maintaining.. 3/7
...it& #39;s continuity & sovereignty, and benefitting everyone involved (i.e.: not motivated by tribal/ethnic allegiance)
The government officially maintains that tribal/ethnic allegiance is something of the past & that Somalis and Afars are one - we are Djiboutians. 4/7
The government officially maintains that tribal/ethnic allegiance is something of the past & that Somalis and Afars are one - we are Djiboutians. 4/7
But we currently & historically have seen a toxic mix of policies aimed at marginalising some tribes & ethnic groups, and other policies that have promoted the wellbeing of all. 5/7
This has given leeway for members of the gvt to gaslight people into thinking we have past the era of tribal dominance. But in reality, it& #39;s something we need to actively face & grapple with. This will allow us to develop more coherent domestic & foreign policies... 6/7
...aimed at improving the well-being of all Djiboutians, not just a substratum of the population. 7/7
