evidence: 1946 - Djibouti made an overseas territory within the French Union with its own legislature and representation in the French parliament. [...] 1977 - The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas becomes independent as Djibouti with Hassan Gouled Aptidon as president. France retains a significant military base in Djibouti after independence. [...] 2008 - Fighting between Djiboutian and Eritrean troops in the disputed Ras Doumeira border area. Both countries agree to resolve their border dispute peacefully in 2010.