Determining the Sub-Saharan African country most similar to the Middle East and North Africa requires considering various social, cultural, economic, and political factors.
One way to answer this complex question is by analyzing the data from the Country Similarity Index. The index attempts to quantify how similar countries are to each other relative to other countries, using a variety of statistics from five broad categories: demographics, culture, politics, infrastructure, and geography.
The data suggests that Sudan and Mauritania are two countries that have strong traits of both the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. However the Index ultimately groups them with the Middle East. After Sudan and Mauritania, the data shows that Djibouti is the next most similar country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the Middle East. On the other end of the spectrum, Lesotho has the least amount of traits in common with the Middle East.
(Middle Eastern countries are defined as Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen)
Despite being located in East Africa, Djibouti has a lot in common with the Middle East and North Africa. Culture, politics, and geography are the three main areas where Djibouti and the Middle East have many overlaps.
Culture
Both the Middle East and Djibouti have predominantly Muslim populations. Arabic is one of the official languages in Djibouti. Traditional clothing, influenced by Islamic dress codes, is commonly worn in both regions. Nomadic and pastoral lifestyles have historically been present in both areas, particularly in rural regions.
Government
Djibouti and many countries in both the Middle East have experienced periods of authoritarian rule or have governments with strong centralized power. These countries tend to incorporate Islamic principles into their legal and political systems. They restrict abortion and same sex relationships, but allow polygamy.
Geography
Djibouti is located on the Horn of Africa, close to the Arabian Peninsula. It is located across the Red Sea from Yemen. Both regions generally experience arid and semi-arid climates, leading to dry and hot conditions. They have diverse landforms, including expansive deserts, mountains, and plateaus.
The Most Similar Middle Eastern Country to Djibouti
The Country Similarity Index suggests that Mauritania is the most similar country in the Middle East and North Africa region to Djibouti. Both countries were once French colonies. Arabic and French are the official languages in these countries. Islam plays a significant role in their cultures and societies. Furthermore, nomadic pastoralism has been a traditional way of life in Djibouti and Mauritania.
