Opposition In Djibouti Warns Of Mounting Tension

[Adan_1]

Opposition In Djibouti Warns Of Mounting Tension


The opposition in Djibouti is warning that restless young people could swell the ranks of a growing band of rebels in the north of the country if President Ismail Omar Guelleh fails to quickly address social and economic problems that are affecting the country’s youth.

“We in the opposition have tried to keep things under control in the interest of the people but we don’t know what the future holds for the country.”

The source accused President Guelleh of “silencing the people and keeping them in poverty”.

He added: “There is very little freedom of movement for members of the opposition.

“In reality there is a de facto state of emergency.

“It has not been proclaimed but it exists in practice.”

The government has spent close to $90 million over four years on a personal vendetta by President Guelleh against one of his former confidants, Abdourahman Boreh, through failed litigation in the UK courts.

The source said many Djiboutians were not confident about seeing political change through the ballot box.

“We as a peaceful opposition can do so much, but others will, frankly, take matters into their hands and that’s our fear.
“We are not for violence and we are not convinced that violence is the way to bring about change.

“But the youngsters are saying that they do not have any hope for peaceful change,” the source added.

Young people in Djibouti are suffering the brunt of a high unemployment rate of 60 per cent, which the opposition source said would play into the hands of extremists, warning that there could be a Somalia situation if things did not improve.

“If there is no hope for them, the issue of terrorism will not be far away because the conditions are ripe for this,” the source said,

“That’s what we are telling our international partners; that they should act before it is too late.

“What we badly need is a catalyst but Djibouti is not in the international limelight and that’s why the continued political repression and human rights violations are being ignored,” the source added.

The regime has been under intense pressure from its opponents since the presidential election in April, which saw President Guelleh returned to power for a controversial fourth five-year term.

Opposition leaders say they reject the result, citing fraud while the African Union and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) deem it to be “credible” and “fair”. However, the situation is currently tense and has resulted in some dissent, with the opposition questioning why Western governments are failing to apply more pressure on the regime.

The opposition source said: “The West is not doing enough even though the harassment of opponents by the government is so clear.

“For the regime, as long as there are no international sanctions against it, the harassment will continue.”

The source raised the issue of the growing Chinese presence in Djibouti where Beijing has been pumping in money for major infrastructure projects.

The source said that these loans were not “transparent and there is much corruption”.

“Those who work with or for the [foreign] military bases in Djibouti are members of the regime,” the source explained

“You can’t have contracts with these bases without the support of the regime.”

Not surprisingly the Chinese have been expressing concern about the country’s capacity to repay the loans from Beijing.

In these straitened times for Djibouti, the World Bank has stepped in to provide additional finances to help the country “address vulnerability and improve service delivery”.

The Bank approved a total of $31 million in loans for three social projects.

Djibouti is also benefiting from the $175 million that the Bank has provided to deal with the refugee crisis in the Horn of Africa, which hosts 9.5 million forcibly displaced people, with three million classified as refugees.

[JSL3000]

Yes, canfar rebel movement is returning.

[Jabuutawi]

^ There goes the stupid.

[LiquidHYDROGEN]

I don't blame them. Djibouti is strategically placed on the most important shipping lane in the world. Fatboy Guelleh had the opportunity to turn Djibouti into the Dubai of Africa but instead it is the tiniest, poorest and least significant country in a insignificant continent.

[MaydhMax]

the somali majority in djibouti need to be free from french/ethiopian tutelage and become part of a single greater somali state since it will rescue them from their desperate situation

i think djibouti should be split up with the afar parts going to eritrea and the remainder going to greater somalia

[RoobleAlWaliid]

Nothing going to happen some rebels can't do anything within a nation that has the interest of superpowers, where a lot is at stake.
But IOG should tackle some issues instead of tackling the croissant.

[MaydhMax]

Nothing going to happen some rebels can't do anything within a nation that has the interest of superpowers, where a lot is at stake.
But IOG should tackle some issues instead of tackling the croissant.

you sure about that mr hawiye hating troll?

[JSL3000]

^ There goes the stupid.

you thought treating canfar as second class citizens was going to work and now when rebels return you have no where to go.

[RoobleAlWaliid]

you sure about that mr hawiye hating troll?

I'm not a troll nor a Hawiye hater and not as delusional as you.

[Jabuutawi]

^ There goes the stupid.

you thought treating canfar as second class citizens was going to work and now when rebels return you have no where to go.

What makes you think the results would be any different this time around when we are at our strongest? Early 90s we fought Canfari/Cadhgo and Isaq National Movement militia to a stalemate at our moment of need.

Anyways, Canfari don't have monopoly in unemployment. Youth are unemployed in high % in Djibouti, Balbala, Ali-Sabieh, etc.

[JSL3000]

^ There goes the stupid.

you thought treating canfar as second class citizens was going to work and now when rebels return you have no where to go.

What makes you think the results would be any different this time around when we are at our strongest? Early 90s we fought Canfari/Cadhgo and Isaq National Movement militia to a stalemate at our moment of need.

Anyways, Canfari don't have monopoly in unemployment. Youth are unemployed in high % in Djibouti, Balbala, Ali-Sabieh, etc.

do you have the sources I don't think you defeated afar rebels your leader just compromised and gave them more seats it was ceasefire and djibooty never fought no one only eritrea invaded them and captured doumeria if it wasn't for qatar they would've token over the canfar coast.

[jalaaludin5]

Nothing going to happen some rebels can't do anything within a nation that has the interest of superpowers, where a lot is at stake.
But IOG should tackle some issues instead of tackling the croissant.

To all the haters, why not try and hold your breath. Maybe your wishes will come true before you exhale and a civil war will start.

https://i.imgflip.com/160nj5.jpg
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[Jabuutawi]

Here is the source, only source one needs:

Before civil war: Canfari had a PM and 33 deputies.

After civil war: Canfari have a PM and 33 deputies.

Btw, they do much better in Djibouti than any other country.

I know you are a troll.

[PrinceNugaalHawd]

If there are free and fair elections today in Dj, The president elect will be Isse Somali, the Party that wins the most seats in parliament would be Somali with a Isse PM, parliment would be 44 mps would be Somali majority Isse. Cafaar would have 20 mps at most. To be fair they would get 3 ministers. Etc Djibouti is more than fair to them. Super powers would not allow the fall of Djbouti nor should we as fellow Somalis.

[Jabuutawi]

^ Allow dhawr mujahidiinta Khatumo State!