Djibouti - History In 1945 the area now comprising the Republic of Djibouti (then known as French Somaliland) was proclaimed an overseas territory of France, and in 1967 was renamed the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas. The Afar and the Issa have strong connections with Ethiopia and Somalia respectively. Until the 1960s ethnic divisions were not marked; however, conflicting international tensions in the Horn of Africa, together with France´s policy of favouring the minority Afar community, combined to create internal tensions. Demands for independence were led by the Issa community, and under pressure from the Organization of African Unity to grant full independence to the territory, France acted to improve relations between the two communities. A unified political movement, the Ligue populaire africaine pour l´independance (LPAI) was formed, and, following an overwhelming vote favouring independence at a referendum held in May 1977, the territory became independent on 27 June. Hassan Gouled Aptidon, a senior Issa politician and leader of the LPAI, became the first President of the Republic of Djibouti. Separate treaties of friendship and co-operation were signed in 1981 with Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan, with the aim of resolving regional conflicts. In August 1984 the Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Djibouti´s policy of maintaining neutral stance in the conflict between its neighbours in the Horn of Africa, and expressed his Government´s willingness to act as a mediator. Ajoint ministerial committee, which held its first session in July 1985, was formed between Djibouti anc Ethiopia, to strengthen existing relations and co-operation between the two countries. These relations, however, were over shadowed in 1986 by Ethiopia´s support for the MNDID. Djibouti´s interest in promoting regional co-operation was exemplified by the creation, in February 1985, of the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD now the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, IGAD, with six (now seven) member states; Djibouti was chosen as the site of its permanent secretariat, and President Gouled became the first Chairman. Under the auspices of IGADD, the Heads of State of Ethiopia and Somalia met in January 1986 for the first time in 10 years, and in March 1988 they held a further meeting. In the following month the two countries agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations, to withdraw troops from their common border and to exchange prisoners of war.