Djibouti @ 40: Foreign forces join Independence parade

The Red Sea state of Djibouti celebrated their 40th independence anniversary on Tuesday June 27, 2017.

The country located in the Horn of Africa region close to the Somali peninsula was under French control till it gained independence in 1997. The 40th independence parade was attended by President Omar Guelleh, high ranking officials from neighbouring countries among others.

Marching along with the Djibouti forces were Chinese security personnel who graced the colourful event in the capital, Djibouti. U.S. and Indian forces also joined in the parade.

The country is currently seen as a strategic security location with the United States, France and Japan all operating military bases from there.

Djibouti celebrates 40 years of independence today. #Djibouti #40thAnniversary pic.twitter.com/7ylEIs8mJO

— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) June 27, 2017

40ème anniversaire de l’indépendance de #Djibouti. Le 5ème RIAOM et les FFDj défilent avec les Forces armées djiboutiennes. Bravo à tous. pic.twitter.com/tA9WhcqC0L

— Christophe Guilhou (@ChrisGuilhou) June 27, 2017

It has also recently become an economic hub with massive Chinese investments especially in the area of building ports. The latest being a China-funded salt export hub valued at $64m.

Despite being just about the size of Wales, the country is strategically positioned on the route to the Suez Canal. The tiny, barren nation, is sandwiched between Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia.

It enjoys cordial relations with all its neighbours except Eritrea – with whom they have fought a deadly border war in 1998. The withdrawal of Qatar as a mediator in the border tension reignited fears of an escalation of clashes between the two.

Happy 40th Independence Day to my beloved #Djibouti & all Djiboutians around the world! Elelelelele🇩🇯🇩🇯🇩🇯 pic.twitter.com/KkE5FLAYSz

— 𐒓𐒘𐒇𐒈 (@diasporicblues) June 26, 2017