Guelile


Guelile is a town in southern Djibouti. It is situated about southwest of Djibouti City and half a km south of the border with Ethiopia. It is the official border crossing into neighbouring Ethiopia by road and by rail. The area is served by a border post as well as by a train station at the Ethio-Djibouti Railways. Since 2016, it serves as the eastern terminus of the Ehio-Djibouti Railways and is the only remaining still operational train station along this railway in Djibouti. Guelile therefore serves as a commercial hub for the movement of goods to and from Djibouti City, Dire Dawa, Dewele, Ayesha and the surrounding area.

Overview

Guelile is located in a valley in the southern section of the country near the Ethiopian border. Guelile is located 10 km south of Ali Sabieh. The surrounding district is rich in both livestock and fledgeling agriculture. The town connects the capital Djibouti City to the northeast with Dire Dawa in Ethiopia to the southeast. Guelile is one of the oldest border crossing points along the Djibouti-Ethiopia border, and the nation's second largest inland port of entry.
Nearby towns and villages include Ali Sabieh, Dewele, Aysha and Dire Dawa.

Demographics

As of 2019, the population of Guelile has been estimated to be 885. The town inhabitants belong to various mainly Afro-Asiatic-speaking ethnic groups, with the Issa Somali predominant.

Climate and geography

Guelile has a Semi-arid climate in Köppen-Geiger system. Guelile generally features is warm winters and hot summers and is located at an altitude of above sea level in low-shrouded mountains and hills. Guelile experiences relatively pleasant weather in the summer and mild cold winters. Winter's generally feature dense fog in the mornings.