Africa Is a Country

Independence Day: June 27th, Djibouti

Africa Is a Country Podcast
African Five-a-Side Podcast

Independence Day: June 27th, Djibouti

By
Tom Devriendt

Earlier this year, Djiboutians marched the streets of their capital (where more than half of all Djiboutian citizens live), rallying against their sitting president who changed the constitution in 2010 allowing him to run for another term. It didn’t pan out as planned, with the president (who replaced his uncle as leader of the ruling party in 1999) securing a third term in April. “I regret having no opponent,” he said. “I accuse the opposition of not having the courage to give voters the right to choose between several candidates.” But that doesn’t change the fact today is still Djibouti’s Independence Day.

Awelah Adan is the country’s latest star, singing in Somali. This video dates from a while back, but it is a classic:

Abayzid Ali, on the other hand, sings in Afar. His lyrics have a more poetic touch:

Writer Abdourahman Waberi put us on to this song by Mohammed Ali aka ‘Fourchette’ about whom he says: “It may sound weird, but it is more than that. Inspiring, poetic. He’s singing in Somali. Popular among the youth as well. His son has remixed some of his old songs”:

And finally, this song. Not quite from Djibouti, but the video was recorded there. Why? We have no idea. Neither are we sure they’re showing this on Djibouti TV. Lumidee ft. Chase Manhattan:

You’ll find more on the DjibTube video channels.

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