By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
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DJIBOUTI (Dawan) – The Djibouti National Defense Forces celebrated their 49th anniversary on June 6, marking nearly five decades since their establishment on June 6, 1977, just three weeks before the country gained independence from France on June 27, 1977.
Commemorations were held in Djibouti and in Beledweyne, Somalia, where Djiboutian troops deployed under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), locally known as Hiil Walaal, were present.
Though among the smallest militaries in the Horn of Africa, Djibouti’s armed forces hold significant strategic importance due to the country’s location at the crossroads of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Bab el-Mandeb strait. Estimates place the Djiboutian military at 10,000–12,000 active personnel, with some sources citing up to 13,000 when including domestic security units like the National Gendarmerie.
The armed forces are structured into the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie—a hybrid military-police force responsible for internal security, border control, and general law enforcement. Djibouti’s National Police, while critical to internal security, reports to the Ministry of Interior.
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Internationally, Djibouti plays a key role in peacekeeping operations across Africa. The largest deployment has been to Somalia, with approximately 1,500 troops contributing to AUSSOM missions in strategic areas such as Beledweyne and Hiiraan. Djiboutian forces also participate in UN missions in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On the training and support front, France and the United States are major partners. France maintains a historic military cooperation, while the U.S. operates Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, a key regional base. Additionally, Djibouti hosts military facilities for several foreign countries, strengthening its role as a hub for international security in the region.
After 49 years, the Djibouti Armed Forces stand as a national institution rooted in the country’s independence, playing an essential role in domestic security, regional peacekeeping, and strategic defense in the Horn of Africa.