HOW DOES THE GEOPOLITICAL POSITION OF DJIBOUTI INFLUENCE ITS RELATIONS WITH GREAT POWERS?

Abstract

Djibouti gained independence in 1977 after being ruled by France for nearly a century. However, Djibouti remained under French influence for a long time due to both the military agreement with France and the economic aid provided by this country. Moreover, it had to act more distant when establishing relations with other countries. However, under the leadership of Omar Guelleh, who came to power in 1999, a new process was entered in foreign policy with the adoption of the principle of multilateralism in diplomatic relations. Djibouti, which has become a center of attraction for great powers such as the USA, China and Russia, as well as France, has started to cooperate with these countries in different fields. This study points out that Djibouti’s geopolitical position is the main factor that determines its relations with these great powers and prompts these countries to cooperate with Djibouti. It is also observed that Djibouti has turned its geopolitical position into a tool of its development strategy.

Keywords

• Horn of Africa
• Djibouti
• Energy Security
• Global Powers
• Global Competition

CİBUTİ’NİN JEOPOLİTİK KONUMU BÜYÜK GÜÇLERLE İLİŞKİLERİNİ NASIL ETKİLİYOR?

Öz

Cibuti, yaklaşık bir yüzyıl boyunca Fransa tarafından yönetildikten sonra 1977 yılında bağımsızlığını kazandı. Ancak Cibuti, gerek Fransa ile yapılan askeri anlaşma gerekse bu ülkenin sağladığı ekonomik yardımlar nedeniyle uzun süre Fransız etkisi altında kalmaya devam etti. Üstelik diğer ülkelerle ilişki kurarken daha mesafeli davranması gerekti. Bununla birlikte 1999 yılında iktidara gelen Omar Guelleh liderliğinde diplomatik ilişkilerde çoktaraflılık ilkesinin benimsenmesiyle dış politikada yeni bir sürece girildi. Fransa’nın yanında ABD, Çin ve Rusya gibi büyük güçler için bir çekim merkezine dönüşen Cibuti, bu ülkelerle farklı alanlarda iş birlikleri yapmaya başladı. Bu çalışma, Cibuti’nin jeopolitik konumunun bu büyük güçlerle ilişkilerini belirleyen ve bu ülkeleri Cibuti ile iş birliği yapmaya sevk eden ana faktör olduğuna dikkat çekmektedir. Ayrıca Cibuti’nin jeopolitik konumunu kalkınma stratejisinin bir aracına dönüştürdüğü gözlenmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Afrika Boynuzu
• Cibuti
• Enerji Güvenliği
• Küresel Güçler
• Küresel Rekabet

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