The Multilevel Politics of Djibouti’s Maritime Infrastructure

Abstract

Over time, “third wave” SSC has become instrumental in making Djibouti’s modernisation aspirations a reality, particularly with regard to the development of its maritime infrastructure. “SSC 3.0”’s criticality is explained dichotomously. On the one hand, under Ismail Omar Guelleh’s stewardship, the regime has historically struggled to finance its ambitions by relying upon sources of support from the Global North. On the other hand, anchoring the drive to upgrade the country’s maritime infrastructure as the lynchpin to its political economy preferences is rationalised not only by the necessity of greasing the wheels of the regime’s hold on power (in terms of meeting macroeconomic targets, consolidating its patronage system, etc.) but also because relationally to the rest of its East African neighbourhood, Djibouti’s state of relative peace grants it a considerable comparative advantage—one which thereafter allows it to maintain its monopoly over transit trade to/from Ethiopia. This Chapter explores the interwoven nature of Djibouti’s tripartite political economy strategy under the current regime.