Djibouti is a small country with a major role in world trade. It has about 800,000 people and a deepwater port on the Horn of Africa that serves as a connection between Europe, East Africa, the Middle East, and on to Asia. It was once French territory and retains strong ties to Paris.
I try to find work that was either produced locally or by someone who spent time in the country for this African-nation blog project, but it doesn’t always happen. Elmore Leonard didn’t travel much, but he had a researcher who worked with him, Gregg Sutter, who did the legwork.
This story involves some Americans, Somalis, Saudis, and others who come together in Djibouti because of its role in trade. Dara Barr is a documentary filmmaker from New Orleans who wants to do a project about modern-day piracy, and that brings her to Djibouti. She find pirates, but also al Qaeda (including some members who are also Americans), a galavanting Texas playboy, and the CIA. The piracy ends up being a minor part of this particular story. And I’m not sure I can tell you anymore without giving it away!
It’s not the best Elmore Leonard book, but it’s a fine light read. It also illuminates trade issues in East Africa. Everyone in that part of the world is dependent upon Djibouti being a functioning port and safe place to do business, but not all of those who depend upon the small country’s amenities are good guys and not all of the trade is legal or ethical. How do you balance freedom with safety in a place like that?
Djibouti has a per-capita income of about $2700, which isn’t much. Most of the population is in the capital city, and most of the economy is tied to the sea. Those who aren’t part of the maritime economy tend to be nomadic farmers. Foreign aid provides much of the funding for infrastructure because so many nations depend on Djibouti to be a functioning port. Its stability is key for economic development in East Africa. The nation itself is too small to provide direct investment opportunities for individuals, but it has some great opportunities for multinational shipping and infrastructure businesses.
And, like Dara Barr, I want to stay in the Kempinski when I visit. Like Gregg Sutter, I want a job doing research for a detective writer. But instead, I’ll just find a book or something about Equatorial Guinea.
