Threw my still unused passport in the washing machine along the khamees, gotta book for a new one so not to need a visa for Dubai. how things are unpredictable. More pple relocating to sland and xamar lately; would you trade in your lifestyle? I'm sure some would get a mashruuc

I don't believe in Djibouti competing directly with Somaliland even if we assume competition to be negative (and brush aside the fact of ports and corridors upgrades taking decades); their ports serve different areas and even countries with booming demands (eg, North Ethiopia or S. Sudan are better served by Djibouti); still, all those regional infrastructures are complementary (Zeyla area is almost adjacent to Djib city while parts of Somaliland should trade via Bossaso etc). Let's not forget also that families span accross the borders; much of the reconstruction, public services and investments in Hargeysa and nearby are due to those links, while Djibouti was always a safe haven and base for Northern traders. Last but not least, one can not thrive in isolation and Switzerland, Dubai or Singapore are all surrounded by major exporters, stable economies. PS: Raula, few "temporary" dwellings in some "quartiers" may catch fire during the summer khamsin wind; it's seldom an issue outside of it. Else, thanks guys but the pics are not mine: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3339.

The facts of interference and divisions will not go away no matter any institution so focus on educating the masses and fostering interclan trust should be any patriot's priority. Unless of course politics has become another sport and scoring overrides ethics.

Abdominal fat with its toxicity is esp linked with fast insulin release (due to quick blood sugar raise); Sun or vitamin D and others insulin lowering things such as oats, cinnamon or nuts helps (chips, croissants etc are a disaster). Simple things such as outdoors, push-ups or no lifts are better than gyms in general (though this chap opened one in Djibouti and others dream of a Muslim only one). Fasting is still ongoing but the mosques atmosphere has changed, how do the elders manage to stay as pious?

It seems Xamar back in the 80s was as well designed if not better in terms of urban planing from a relative familiar with the 3 cities; this is one of the biggest challenge we now face in Hargeysa as the town in colonial times was utterly neglected and nothing was planned (let alone for a major city with booming car traffic). No cambaabur since ages but I guess the new Turkish biweekly transit flight to Djibouti en route to Xamar will ease travel and trade to and between both cities; we are looking forward to holidays with friends etc down South .

Haramous residential area's boom (every set in a scheme is mandated to have its own mosque) and the older port circling the town centre: Ar Rahma Orphanage Complex

Building A Red Sea Gateway For Africa Having been in the shipping business for 30 years, mostly in the Port of Djibouti but also spending three years in Lagos, Nigeria, last year Aboubaker Omar Hadi returned to his country to head the country’s all-important ports and free zones authority. He talked to New African about his responsibilities and his vision. Q: The ports represent the lifeblood of the Djibouti economy; can you outline the expansion projects that are being undertaken at the moment? A: We are currently investing $4.4bn in our development projects, including expanding the capacity of our current ports and the airport extension programme. We have extensive experience in running ports successfully, both for oil and containers. Indeed, our container port is one of the biggest in the world and certainly the biggest in Africa. We built these two ports very quickly, taking a total of 23 months from the start of the project to the first ship arriving at the port. We know how to build these ports: we have the right partners, and we also know what to look for in the selection of contractors to build our infrastructure. Q: The DPFZA is heavily dependent upon external economies and other factors for its success – short and long term. How does the DPFZA prepare itself for some of the challenges that may affect its foreign clientele, and in turn affect the income of the port itself? A: There are a lot of external factors that affect the profitability of the ports and our activities but to reduce external risks we are diversifying. We are not only working in partnership with Ethiopia, our main customer, but also working with South Sudan. That country’s foreign trade is now taking off and over the last few months’ transit traffic has been moving from Djibouti to South Sudan in increasing volumes. In addition to this we are also receiving trans-shipment traffic – that is, shipments for the other coastal states in the region, not just for landlocked countries. This traffic constitutes 55% of our revenue, transiting to Red Sea and Indian Ocean ports and even all the way down to Durban, South Africa. So, it is evident that we are using our strategic location on one of the most important and busiest sea routes in the world, and we believe that by targeting the port’s trans-shipment volume it can grow by 100% in the coming years. Currently, this amounts to three million containers a year, but we anticipate this to rise to six million and we intend to capture at least 50% of this market. Q: The ports obviously have a linkage to other areas of Djibouti’s economy. Where do you see the synergies to further enhance the economy? A: There are many other areas of the economy that can benefit from our efficient ports. The basic business of the ports is in handling goods. We see huge opportunities for our clients to manufacture in the Free Zones that are being established and then re-export their goods. The ports are the only hub that can efficiently handle this flow of huge quantities of goods. Q: Another key component of the DPFZA’s continued success is the stability of the country and the security of the services provided. In what ways are you ensuring that both these will be maintained for the future? A: The security and stability in our country is our main asset. We certainly have the security measures in place, and we also have very high productivity. In fact, that level of productivity is world-class, unmatched even outside Africa. Our cranes are currently handling 34 containers an hour. This represents a highly efficient service that reduces the turnaround time for ships. This productivity would not be possible without our staff. We have also sent 120 of our most gifted students to a maritime academy in India. They will become the future managers of the three ports we currently operate and the five others we are planning. There are of course other related marine businesses that require qualified personnel, and this annual training programme represents an investment in our future. Q: Where do you see the potential for growth and partner projects for the DPFZA? A: We expect trade growth beyond South Sudan. We can reach the other East African landlocked countries and the heart of the continent where much of Africa’s resources are located. These cannot be capitalised upon without the port, rail and road connections. As development and peace come to the region, we will capitalise from the increased movement of traffic. In addition, competition between ports is not only based on the tariffs. Some ports may be cheaper in terms of their tariffs but when you look at their productivity, clients will choose Djibouti, because the cost of other ports’ inefficiency is higher. Another measure that would be hugely positive to ourselves and our partners in East Africa would be the creation of a customs treaty or agreement. That would greatly enhance harmonisation and the movement of goods. We currently have a customs agreement between Ethiopia and Djibouti, a system of single documentation, and that has proved very successful. Q: Do you have a personal vision for the ports and what the next five years hold? A: Well for our ports and transportation, we see this development as demand-driven. When there is a trade there is a need for ports and transportation. But a port cannot work in isolation, without the rail and road connections reaching deep into the heart of the continent and perhaps even extending from the Red Sea to the Atlantic. At the moment we cannot cross the continent and we must transport goods around Africa which is vastly more expensive. So the future ports we are going to make will be integral to Africa’s future growth and inter-trade development, to connect the one billion African population. This is where we need to have vision and commitment. Facilitating Djibouti's FDI Flows Q: Are there any specific sectors that you have been focused on? A: The main areas that we have been responsible for assisting and promoting are the tourism, transport and logistics, fishing, energy as well as telecommunications and finance sectors. Eighty per cent of Djibouti’s GDP is based on services and the above-mentioned sectors are highly promising. Most of those sectors are still unexploited and our country welcomes all kinds of investments. Q: You have clearly been very successful at securing increasing levels of FDI. What do you ascribe this to? A: One particular achievement we are proud of is our one-stop shop that allows our client-investors to access a harmonised service. The one-stop investment office has now been open for over two years and has proved to be a great component of our services. The NIPA in partnership with different state representatives has also proactively promoted the Republic of Djibouti’s investment opportunities and business environment at international level. All articles of the Special Report

Vision 2035: A Long-Term Development Plan For Djibouti’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, the need for forward planning is imperative. In this interview with New African, he describes Vision 2035 and the challenges and opportunities that now confront the country. Q: Would you outline Djibouti’s Vision 2035 concept and its objectives? A: We used to formulate very short-term national policies, sometimes on an annual basis but we realised that there were a lot of challenges ahead and risks on the way. For this reason we needed to plan over a longer period. We accept that we will probably not be able to achieve all our objectives during the current administration, but Vision 2035 clearly sets out the aspirations of the President and his government. We also want to encourage Djiboutian citizens to take ownership of this vision themselves, as they have a key role to play. We believe that with this initiative we are encouraging Djiboutians to achieve their own success in what is now a fast-paced and very competitive new world. The Vision 2035 is also based on the key pillars of encouraging economic integration, good governance and human development. This all means increased communication with the people to inform them of the wider opportunities that are available to them. Q: Djibouti’s economic success is intrinsically linked to the wider region. How would you characterise the relationship with your development partners at this time? A: Djibouti has limited resources and a relatively small population. However, Djibouti’s location has a key strategic geographic position. As one of our colleagues from the IMF mentioned: “The geo-strategic position of Djibouti means the same thing that oil means to Saudi Arabia.” Of course, this unique location means that we must sustain the momentum regionally to facilitate greater trade and integrate our economies, making sure our neighbours are able to take advantage of our logistics and related services. For example, Ethiopia has, over the last 15 years, experienced a high rate of growth, and needless to say, the more Ethiopia grows the more the Djibouti economy follows suit. Djibouti’s GDP is linked specifically to the port and other logistical services, which in tandem is connected to the growth of the Ethiopian economy. This is why we are working with the Ethiopians on a long-term vision to ensure Djibouti remains stable, competitive and has access to international markets. This will ensure our relations with Ethiopia continue to flourish as it embarks on its industrialisation drive. One of the key points to their industrial development is that the whole process must be integrated, meaning competitive logistics must be in place, and this is where Djibouti will play a key role. We are also planning a cross-border industrialisation programme, to add value to our exports. We need to create a cross-border duty-free zone to integrate Djibouti’s economy with Ethiopia’s and provide a gateway to other economies in the region of commercial interest, such as South Sudan. Q: Internally there are some challenges to growth and investment in Djibouti, namely high energy costs and water stress issues. What initiatives does the ministry have in place to combat these problems? A: These are two major concerns regarding Djibouti’s economic development, and we are actively seeking strategies to address them. The geothermal electricity generating programme is the number one priority of Djibouti’s government and our geothermal potential is acknowledged as one of the largest in the world. We plan to couple this potential with other renewable energy projects such as solar and wind energy. By tapping into these assets with the assistance of our development partners being led by the World Bank, we are confident of resolving our energy problems in the next three years and we may even be in a position to export energy. Already we have embarked on the first salt lake geothermal development plan. We are also looking at solutions to our water supply constraints and have an EU desalination project and other public-private partnership programmes. We also bring water from Ethiopia for some areas of the south of Djibouti, and at the same time we are conducting our own research and development with highly skilled engineers. We anticipate that the challenge of water will, like our energy sector, be tackled successfully in less than three years. Q: What message would you like to get across to our readers about Djibouti today and the country’s investment opportunities? A: Djibouti certainly has the potential to become another Singapore, Hong Kong or Dubai and there are myriad investment opportunities here related to our unique geostrategic location. Equally importantly there are many untapped business sectors such as tourism. I believe we have the possibility of becoming one of the top marine tourism attractions in the world, if the requisite infrastructure and facilities are put in place. We welcome international investors to come and take advantage of these opportunities. We are already working hard with our partners and neighbouring countries to create critical infrastructure such as roads, airports and dry ports to serve as a gateway not just to the rest of Africa but also to the Gulf region as a whole. Another area of investment potential is telecommunications and our telecommunications ministry is inviting major international players to Djibouti to make use of the most advanced sub-sea fibre-optic cable facilities in Africa. This is just a snapshot of some of the opportunities available in Djibouti today, and there are many more!

Djibouti: Raising Its Game Djibouti continues to post enviable economic growth figures, and for President Ismail Omar Guelleh’s government the priority is keeping up this momentum and meeting the challenges that lie ahead. Stephen Williams reports. Djibouti is celebrating its 35th independence anniversary this month. It is a time for reflection for this small enclave that is so strategically important to the world and Africa’s economy. It is also a time to look towards the future and the best way forward. Djibouti’s economy continued to grow last year by around 4.5% and the country carried on attracting foreign investment. Essentially, this investment was focussed on Djibouti’s most valuable asset – its location at the southern entrance of the Red Sea and the business and trade that it serves with deep-water ports. Its ambition to serve as the Horn of Africa’s gateway to, and for, sub-Saharan Africa has, in many respects, already been achieved. There is a sentiment that suggests that Djibouti should become for the Horn and East Africa what Dubai has become for the Gulf – an entrepôt that can serve as a modern and highly efficient trading hub for the region. Driving this vision forward, the government has given the green light to place the port (and the airport) under private management contracts, and is building the second stage of a new container terminal at Doraleh, with an adjoining oil terminal and transhipment complex. The expansion of the Doraleh port has benefited from a $427m guarantee by the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency for the development, design, construction, management, operation and maintenance of the container terminal. In addition, as a means of underpinning Djibouti’s position as a hub for trade, logistics and related services, the country has embarked on building several road corridors. By improving container facilities in Djibouti, the idea is to stimulate an increase in port traffic and open up new opportunities for investment and growth, including attracting other African countries to use the port as a trade gateway. Djibouti has also established a Free Zone to bring in manufacturing companies. A new $300m airport upgrade is under way. A $400m ship maintenance yard, and a $100m desalination plant (for the Doraleh project) are also currently being built. In the longer term, Djibouti must be fully prepared to compete with the proposed new port being constructed at Lamu, Kenya – further south on the Indian Ocean littoral – which could pose a threat to its own port operations. Lamu, and the new rail links that will serve the port, would certainly prove attractive to both Ethiopia and South Sudan – the former currently being Djibouti’s major trading partner. Meanwhile, the country’s capital flows have more than doubled to a very respectable 21% of GDP, consequently creating a balance of payments deficit of just 1.1% of GDP. But, as the World Bank points out, the balance of payments account is likely to widen as the launch of Djibouti’s numerous projects will involve the importation of a considerable amount of capital goods. However, the Bank adds that the deficits will not present a problem, as FDI, and external borrowing can comfortably finance them. More worryingly, the country’s recent economic growth has done little to reduce the unemployment numbers, as even the massive investments in the port and free zones have not generated enough jobs – and clearly Djibouti is highly vulnerable to external shocks such as rising food and fuel prices. By way of a response, the government has launched the National Initiative for Social Development (INDS) to meet various social and economic challenges. The objective of this new policy is to promote access to basic social services and improve the quality and effectiveness of their delivery. INDS has a $47m budget to focus on health, energy, rural community development and urban poverty reduction. Meanwhile, government has acknowledged the need to identify the sectors that can drive growth while creating jobs and plans to market Djibouti’s many attractions as an investment destination. Specifically, the country is positioning itself as a regional centre for the importation, warehousing, value-addition and re-export of goods originating in neighbouring countries. Djibouti’s geological characteristics, lying on the Great Rift, make it especially suitable for geothermal energy generation – a capital-intensive clean energy source that involves pumping water deep underground to be heated, creating steam that is brought to the surface to drive steam turbines generating electricity. It has also identified the financial sector as a prime area for growth. The government has already passed several new pieces of legislation, notably regulating capital requirements, and relating to both financial co-operatives and Islamic banking institutions. Another sector deemed to hold considerable promise is tourism. Djibouti offers ready access to some of the best scuba diving sites in the world, and the wealth of ocean life in the Red Sea is truly astounding. From the highly endangered horn-billed turtle to the shark-whale, and the multitude of brightly coloured tropical fish that, along with the wonderful coral, call these waters home, this is Djibouti’s top tourism attraction. The Gulf of Tadjoura (especially around the town of Obock) contains many species of fish and coral, and is ideal for diving, snorkeling and underwater photography. Waterskiing and windsurfing are also on offer. On dry land, Lake Assal is surrounded by a strange lunar-like landscape of dormant volcanoes and lava fields, and is less than 100km south-west of Djibouti city. It is one of the world’s lowest points, and also one of its hottest areas. You can only reach it by 4x4 vehicle (or camel). Lake Assal is the centre of a nascent salt-mining initiative.

Ciid mubaarak and aroos khayr qaba ia.

I share Norf's views but I think that in terms of FDI, infrastructure or geopolitics, Guelleh has done much more, ie without being the key Western ally or having endless natural resources. It's not widely known GDP growth is inflated in Ethiopia and skewed in favor of foreigners, land grabbers or an elite while the very tight police state deny trade and opportunities to citizens (hence why growth is controversial).

Much easier to fast/afur with others the 6 shawaal days, after having skipped it yesterday and suxuur just before fajr. Do you see signs or inspiration from elsewhere even as a "rational"? Kids are always fun to have around, like them even more without all the adult hypocrisy (particularly some "wadaad" ones).

Ciid mubaarik akhyaarta; pulled an eid all nighter and then relocated a whole house to a 3thd flour flat... celebrated now today with a cappucino/pain au chocolat lol before another round. the brothers at the mosque talking about their countries, kids playing (ps3 etc) or how feeling of community is really at the core of everything...

that is why those who grew up in africa gets homesick; we used to get new games, clothes, bed covers etc (usually from France, for the cousins too) and a kid party hosted after salat for us and the cousins, replete with robots and items to assemble, kids computers or video games. A visit to the port and all its different boats, pic nic to Arta's greener wilderness just outside town etc completed the idylle; one of the reason happiness rhymed with cousins and greener, wilder or "exotic" places such as summers to Hargeysa (with all its stories, weapons and ammunitions everywhere in the 90s). But the big and varied "community" both indoors and outdoors and cousins in particular were the real highlights even more than video games etc.

Well, the sun is not marketable unlike all the products piling up in pharmacies with little use if any. "few places to go and too many people to pay." it's maybe due to their perception of you (the well-off locals either blend in or live apart). this friend says that salat and praising Allah should be the eid program, the other added that cinemas are dens of fisq. Hargeysa has many nice restaurants though, eg the yemeni one.

those long tahajjud nights drenched in pious tears for some (was Ngonge spotted among his devout brethens ) are fleeting as time do lately. though Ciid abroad doesn't sounds like the real deal, how do you go about it guys (salat and family visits apart)? Does a Solers dinner or something sounds right (anything that do not involve hyena meat)?

Good news: Turkish Airlines to Start Djibouti Service; Somalia Service Changes from Sep 2012 Turkish Airlines starting 04SEP12 is launching service to Djibouti, where it’ll operate Istanbul – Djibouti – Mogadishu route with Airbus A320 aircraft. This route operates twice a week. Service to Mogadishu will operate via Djibouti, replacing Khartoum stop. TK has local traffic rights on Djibouti – Mogadishu sector. Schedule: TK686 IST2325 – 0440+1JIB0530+1 – 0705+1MGQ 320 24 TK687 MGQ0830 – 1005JIB1055 – 1600IST 320 35

You are welcome sis. The night prayer, Qiyaam (or taraweeh) can be offered just before fajr too: http://islamqa.info/en/ref/books/47 It's interesting Hargeisa is lately loud and full of mosques (compared to 90s or 2000).

This may help: http://islamqa.info/en/ref/45611

may do just that bro, run again by the beach after few things sorted out; anyone soon back in africa? the place has changed fast and they now have countless consultants, scans or clinics in jabuuti (one kind enough to reassure me on joints via msn).

Tests confirming the obvious, very low vitamin D of 18nmol/L (ideally between 100/200 nmol), new guidances are under review so doctors may prescribe the high doses of D3 straight away for colored people in some areas. Had to hint for a thyroid test etc too, whose utility is confirmed now, and a hospital stay left me with fluid in the knee joint; seems like the clinicians and system are only useful if constantly guided and double checked even when things are minor and no surgery ever done. Those young mormons missionaries are candid: "what is your purpose in life?" even as I'm wearing khamiis/cimaamad straight out of jumuah ...

Here is one of the two being shipped right now: Hyundai Sante Fe, all options (save gps) 5000 euros ($7500 shipping etc up to Djibouti included, may easily be reselled for $9000-10000) 2003, 125 000km, diesel; Sounds like a good deal now they got spares for koreans and EU cars have stricter controls. Seems the quality is great and they are overtaking even the japanese (not much spares for the honda accord).

Chimera. Since we were doing some daily heavy lifting anyway, exercise or a football session before fasting should not be a challenge; just have to ensure the mature bros can come at the needed time.

whining is an acquired taste...sit down and practise it with the elders trolling feels therapeutic but these are the very least concerns or dilemmas though...

asc NORF et al Was awaken with the olympic torch coming below, windows and door open, caught off guard, then had to cross all the cameras and pics taken on the street! This old chap of mine was arrested at home, mistaken for a murderer; crazy world indeed! Missing suxur by the bed or drinking chilled water and keeping windows wide open lately as back home...