Jibuti’s ‘Afars seized local political initiative from the Somalis by 1967.
Evidence
In Jibuti matters were even worse. In the referendum, held two months before the Mogadishu presidential election and carefully orchestrated by the French authorities, the inhabitants of the Côte (or at least those permitted to vote there) had again endorsed the continuance of French control, rejecting outright independence. The ‘Afars had now indeed seized the political initiative so long enjoyed by the Somalis and had turned the knife in the wound by changing the name of the Côte to the ‘French Territory of the ‘Afars and ‘Ises’. Nothing could more directly reflect the new political complexion in Jibuti. — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 502
Categorization
- DEFINE: Explains the origin and sting of the name ‘French Territory of the ‘Afars and ‘Ises’.