The Road to the 1967 Referendum
Ayrotv.com- Djibouti- In the mid-20th century, French Somaliland (now Djibouti) was a focal point of decolonization efforts in Africa. Hassan Gouled Aptidon, a prominent Somali politician, served as a senator in the French Senate from 1952 to 1958 and was a leading advocate for Djibouti’s independence. General Charles de Gaulle had initially promised Gouled that Djibouti would gain independence in 1967. However, as the date approached, de Gaulle reversed his position, removing Gouled from the Senate and appointing Ali Aref Bourhan, an Afar politician known for his pro-French stance, as the head of the local government.
The 1967 Referendum and Its Aftermath
On March 19, 1967, a referendum was held to determine whether French Somaliland would remain under French control or move towards independence. The official results showed a majority favoring continued association with France. However, reports indicated significant irregularities: thousands of Somalis were allegedly deported or denied the right to vote, and Afar nomads from neighboring regions were brought in to bolster the pro-French vote.
Following the referendum, the territory was renamed the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas, reflecting the colonial administration’s emphasis on ethnic divisions. Ali Aref Bourhan, now in a position of power, initiated policies that favored the Afar community, including the development of the Arhiba housing project in Djibouti City.
Cultural Clashes and Rising Tensions
The Arhiba project brought hundreds of Afar families from Obock and Tadjoura into the capital. These families maintained their traditional lifestyles, including keeping livestock and poultry, which contrasted sharply with the urban Somali residents’ customs.
During the first Eid celebration in Arhiba, the Afar community slaughtered numerous chickens for the feast, discarding the remains in public areas. This practice was unfamiliar and unsettling to the Somali residents, who traditionally sacrifice sheep for such occasions. Some Somalis interpreted the presence of chicken remains as a sign of sorcery, leading to misunderstandings and escalating tensions between the communities.
Personal Reflections: A Return After Four Decades
Returning to Djibouti after 40 years, I found a city transformed. Walking through Avenue 26 and Quarters 4 and 5, nothing felt familiar. The expansion and modernization had erased the landmarks of my youth.
I visited the home of Qalib Kamil Boqore, a family friend who had once hosted me. An elderly Sudanese woman informed me that he had passed away long ago, his house sold and belongings discarded. The sense of loss was profound, a stark reminder of the passage of time and the impermanence of memories.
By Hassan Farah Warfa
