Djibouti: Profiling On The Ali-Sabieh Region

The Republic of Djibouti is made up of a capital (Djibouti) and 5 interior regions. The latter are decentralised, constitute local authorities and are endowed with financial autonomy. The Ali-Sabieh region, located in the south-east of the country 92 km from the capital, has, like the other regions, a special status under Law No. 122/AN/05th L, which allows it to a legal body and deliberative and executive bodies.

This region also has significant potential resources for sustainable development. Located in the southeast of the Republic of Djibouti, the Ali-Sabieh region currently has a population of 86,949 inhabitants divided into an urban population of 37,939 or 43.6% and a rural sedentary population of 24.4% according to source: RGPH 2009 – DISED. This region occupies an area of ​​2250 km2, or 10% of the national territory. The average population density is 36 inhabitants per km2.

Geographic location

Geographically speaking, the Ali-Sabieh region is divided into two types of landscapes with naturally different morphology: a reddish land commonly called “Aska” and its inhabitants “Assajog”, and a physical environment which has the same typology as the rest. of the country commonly called “Doulmadow” and its inhabitants “Baninjog” because the vegetation is dominated by the “Banin” tree. The floristic resources of the Doulmadow Plateau are diverse and varied (Banin, Sarman, etc.) as well as those of Assajog (Dikri, Zog‐Zog, Salel, etc.). Aska (the part with the red earth or rather bright red) is according to the populations encountered a magnificent and rare jewel in the space of the Republic of Djibouti. The Ali‐Sabieh region is located at the junction of the borders of three countries: Djibouti, Somalia and Ethiopia.

Climate

The Ali‐Sabieh region enjoys a ‘cool’ climate (at least compared to some parts of the country). The territory presents a contrasting relief. The climate is of the desert type marked by low rainfall (on average 140 mm, with strong variations depending on the year) and high temperatures. The year is divided into a cool season (from October to April with a temperature between 20 and 30°C), a hot season (from June to September with a temperature varying between 30 and 45°C), and intermediate months ( May and September) which are characterized by very high humidity.

Administrative organisation

and assets of the territory

The Ali-Sabieh region is composed of three administrative spaces which correspond:

• in the capital which corresponds to the city of Ali-Sabieh and its peripheral localities

• at the sub‐prefecture of Ali‐Addé

• at the sub‐prefecture of Holl‐Holl

The main assets of the Ali‐Sabieh region are:

• hydraulic resources from seven wadis that cross the territory;

• construction materials: sand, cut stone, Cree deposits, gypsum, etc.;

• the 4 cross-border lines of communication obtained thanks to major investments, namely the water pipe supplying Djibouti with drinking fresh water, the paved road linking Djibouti – Diré-Dawa; fiber optics, the electric railway line linking Djibouti-Ethiopia;

• an industrial zone housing three large factories: the cement plant, the tile manufacturing plant and the mineral water bottling plant, the last two of which are currently non-functional;

• tourist sites not exploited to date: the Grand Barra, an area where the practice of sand yachting could develop as a leisure sport, protected areas ranging from Assamo to Mount Boura for eco-tourism, historical sites such as caves with prehistoric paintings, the viaduct of Holl‐Holl, Mount Pythan and Mount ARREYetc…

• Located at the junction between three countries, cross-border trade is also an asset from which the region can benefit.

LA NATION