1981 — Djibouti Adopts New Constitution

On June 12, 1981, the Republic of Djibouti officially adopted a new constitution, just four years after gaining independence from France in 1977. While the constitution initially codified a one-party state under President Hassan Gouled Aptidon, it marked a foundational moment for the East African nation. The constitution recognized Islam as the state religion and established the framework for governance, legal rights, and national identity. Though political pluralism was restricted, the adoption of the constitution was seen as a formal step toward sovereignty and self-determination. Later constitutional reforms in the 1990s opened the path to a multiparty system. June 12 remains a significant milestone in Djibouti’s political evolution and the broader post-colonial African movement for nation-building and constitutional development.