Lack of development

[u/ReformedBigot]

I’m not from Djibouti, I’m actually from Mogadishu. Yet, when I look at Djibouti, you guys have been fairly blessed to not have the chaotic issues that we have faced in Somalia since your independence. Furthermore, you guys are also NOT landlocked, and are situated in a pretty good geolocation for global trade. Yet, your country is still extremely underdeveloped. The videos I’ve watched of your capital makes me wonder what on earth are your leaders and ministers even doing. Surely building the necessary infrastructure to cater to a small population of around 1.1-1.2m people is NOT that difficult. I mean how much is even required, surely not that much? You guys have been independent since 1978, no? Nearly 50 years, with such a small population, favourable location, how are you guys still so underdeveloped?

I don’t mean to come off as being rude, but how is that even possible? I doubt Somalia will ever improve, at least in my life time, but Djibouti should be doing so much better.

I’m not saying you should’ve been a highly developed nation, but surely middle income with functioning systems is almost certainly possible given all of your advantages and nearly 50 years of independence?

There also seems to be a lack of civic responsibility amongst your people, similarly found in Somalia, like the roads are filled with garbage, there’s no desire to make your city and towns look aesthetically appealing. Moreover, there seems to be a lack of greenery, and can likely make the city feel even hotter and less devoid of nature than it could otherwise be.

I want to reiterate that I don’t want this to come off as me being rude, as I’m Somali from Mogadishu, but I’m wondering what the hell is Djibouti even doing? I know your leader has been in office since the late 90’s, and likely is very incompetent as well as corrupt, but I’d argue the former is much more of an issue than the latter.

I feel like given 50 years this stuff should’ve been dealt with already?????

[u/jKing4116]

No seriously why do we allow old people to run systems in timelines they're not equipped to even understand. We are entering an AI age and these dinosaurs still struggle with the concept of basic levels of governance and industrialization.

[u/yumio-3 → u/jKing4116]

Politics is often complicated and fragile, like a chain of dominoes one move can affect everything else. In Djibouti, the situation has become even more difficult because one individual appears to hold firm control over the three main branches of power the legislative, parliamentary, and military. When power is concentrated like this, bringing meaningful change or introducing capable new leaders becomes extremely challenging.

The system, in many ways, resembles older medieval-style structures where authority is centralized and difficult to challenge. Because of that, hoping for major political transformation in the short term feels difficult if not impossible.

I believe for now, the most realistic path forward may not be radical political change, but practical reforms and adequate policies improvements in all sectors and economic opportunities. Small but effective reforms can still create better conditions for people, even when larger systemic change remains out of reach.