JAMES JEFFREY
Djibouti, on the Horn of Africa, has a vision of becoming the “African Dubai”. But journalist James Jeffrey says the growing modern city centre may destroy its mix of Somali, Ethiopian, French and Arab influences:
JAMES JEFFREY
class=”media-caption”>Image captionSince gaining independence from France in 1977, Djibouti has steadily carved out a regional role through its strategic and commercial relevance at the junction of Africa, the Middle East and Indian Ocean
Image copyrightJAMES JEFFREY
caption class=”media-caption”>Image captionThe arid nation on the Red Sea used to be more associated with French legionnaires. This cemetery on the western outskirts of the fishing town Obock contains the graves of French soldiers who died there in the 1880s.
JAMES JEFFREY
Today, the new ports and airports rising from the sands are transforming the capital, Djibouti city, amid $12bn (£8bn) of Chinese investment. The country also hosts military bases from the US and France – and China will also have one soon.
Source: BBC