United States Ambassador to Djibouti

The area on the Horn of Africa that is now the small nation of Djibouti has been populated for thousands of years by the nomadic peoples of Africa. The Somali and Afar tribes of the area were known to trade hides and skins for the perfumes and spices of ancient Egypt, India, and China.

French explorations in the area in 1839–42 marked the beginning of French interest in the African shores of the Red Sea. In 1862 the French signed a treaty of friendship and assistance between France and local sultans, and the French purchased the anchorage of Obock in 1862.

French interest in the area increased against a backdrop of British activity in Egypt and the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.

At the Berlin Conference of 1884–1885, the European powers divided Africa among Portugal, Belgium, and France, each creating their own spheres of influence. The area that would be Djibouti came under French sovereignty. In 1884–85, France expanded its protectorate to include the shores of the Gulf of Tadjoura and the Somaliland. The protectorate was named French Somaliland.

The administrative capital was moved from Obock to the city of Djibouti in 1896. The city has a good natural harbor and ready access to the Ethiopian highlands, attracting trade caravans crossing East Africa as well as Somali settlers from the south. The Franco-Ethiopian railway, linking Djibouti to the heart of Ethiopia, was begun in 1897 and reached Addis Ababa in June 1917, increasing the volume of trade passing through the port.

During the Italian invasion and occupation of Ethiopia in the 1930s and during World War II, constant border skirmishes occurred between French and Italian forces. The area was ruled by the Vichy (French) government from the fall of France until December 1942, and fell under British blockade during that period. Free French and the Allied forces recaptured Djibouti at the end of 1942.

In 1957 the colony was reorganized to give the people considerable self-government. A territorial assembly was established, electing eight of its members to an executive council. In a 1958 constitutional referendum, French Somaliland opted to join the French Community "(Communauté française)" as an overseas territory. This act entitled the region to representation in the French Parliament and the French Union Assembly.

In the 1960s agitation for self-government increased and in 1966 the French government announced its decision to hold a referendum to determine whether the people would remain within the French Republic or become independent. In a March 1967 referendum, 60 percent chose to continue the territory’s association with France. In July of that year, a directive from Paris formally changed the name of the region to the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas.

In a May 1977 referendum the populace chose independence from France. The Republic of Djibouti was established on June 27, 1977.

The United States immediately recognized the new nation of Djibouti and moved to establish diplomatic relations. The embassy in Djibouti was established June 27, 1977, with Walter S. Clarke as Chargé d’Affaires "ad interim" pending the appointment of an ambassador. The first ambassador, Jerrold M. North, was appointed on September 26, 1980.

Ambassadors

*Jerrold M. North – Career FSO
**Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
**Appointed: September 26, 1980
**Presented credentials: October 27, 1980
**Terminated mission: Left post August 27, 1982
*Alvin P. Adams – Career FSO
**Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
**Appointed: April 28, 1983
**Presented credentials: July 16, 1983
**Terminated mission: Left post, August 20, 1985
*John Pierce Ferriter – Career FSO
**Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
**Appointed: August 1, 1985
**Presented credentials: September 30, 1985
**Terminated mission: Left post, August 27, 1987
*Note: The post was vacant August 1987–September 1988. John E. McAteer served as Chargé d’Affaires "ad interim" during that period.
*Robert South Barrett IV – Career FSO
**Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
**Appointed: July 11, 1988
**Presented credentials: September 5, 1988
**Terminated mission: Left post, April 18, 1991
*Charles R. Baquet, III – Career FSO
**Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
**Appointed: March 25, 1991
**Presented credentials: October 10, 1991
**Terminated mission: Left post, December 9, 1993
*Martin L. Cheshes – Career FSO
**Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
**Appointed: November 22, 1993
**Presented credentials: January 19, 1994
**Terminated mission: Left post, July 30, 1996
*Note: President Clinton’s nomination of Stanley Schrager of May 6, 1996, was withdrawn and he was not appointed.
*Note: The post was vacant July 1996–January 1998. During that period the following officers served as Chargés d’Affaires ad interim: Joseph Philippe Gregoire (July–September 1996) and Terri Robl (September 1996–January 1998).
*Lange Schermerhorn – Career FSO
**Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
**Appointed: November 10, 1997
**Presented credentials: January 26, 1998
**Terminated mission: Left post November 17, 2000
*Donald Y. Yamamoto – Career FSO
**Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
**Appointed: September 15, 2000
**Presented credentials: December 9, 2000
**Terminated mission: Left post June 16, 2003
*Marguerita Dianne Ragsdale – Career FSO
**Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
**Appointed: December 12, 2003
**Presented credentials: February 23, 2004
**Terminated mission: 2006(?)
*W. Stuart Symington – Career FSO
**Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
**Appointed: August 18, 2006
**Presented credentials: "Unknown"
**Terminated mission: "Incumbent"

References

*Djibouti
*History of Djibouti
* [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/po/com/10498.htm United States Dep’t of State: Ambassadors to Djibouti]
* [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5482.htm United States Dep’t of State: Background notes on Djibouti]
*StateDept

ee also

*Ambassadors from the United States
*Foreign relations of Djibouti

External links

* [http://foia.state.gov/MMS/KOH/key_country.asp?ID=Djioubiti%2C+Republic+of United States Department of State: Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts: Republic of Djibouti]
* [http://djibouti.usembassy.gov/ U.S. Embassy in Djibouti]
* [http://www.state.gov/p/af/ci/dj/ U.S. State Dep’t: Djibouti]
* [http://www.state.gov/p/af/ci/ U.S. State Dep’t: Bureau of African Affairs]