Government and Politics of Djibouti

Government Type

republic

Administrative Divisions

5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); 'Ali Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura

Legal System

based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal adult

Citizenship

Citizenship by birth: No Citizenship by descent only: The mother must be a citizen of Djibouti Dual citizenship recognized: No Residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Aden Hassan AWED (since 27 March 2023) cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held on 9 April 2021 (next to be held in 2027); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president; percent of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 97.4%

Legislative Branch

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 10 January 2003 (next to be held January 2008) election results: percent of vote - RPP 62.2%, FRUD 36.9%; seats - RPP 65, FRUD 0; note - RPP (the ruling party) dominated the election

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Political Parties

Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH]; Djibouti Development Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM]; Front pour la Restauration de l'Unite Democratique or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD]; People's Progress Assembly or RPP (governing party) [Ismail Omar GUELLEH]; Peoples Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Moumin Bahdon FARAH]; Republican Alliance for Democracy or ARD [Ahmed Dini AHMED]; Union for Democracy and Justice or UDJ [leader NA]

Head of State

President Ismail Omar GUELLEH

Head of Government

Prime Minister Mohamed Dileita DILEITA

Cabinet

Council of Ministers responsible to the president

Elections

president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 April 2005 (next to be held by April 2011); prime minister appointed by the president

Election Results

Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president; percent of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 100%

Constitution

multiparty constitution approved by referendum 4 September 1992

Independence

27 June 1977 (from France)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 27 June (1977)

International Organization Participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador ROBLE Olhaye chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270 FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Marguerita RAGSDALE embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti telephone: [253] 35 39 95 FAX: [253] 35 39 40

Capital City

Djibouti

Location

11 35 N, 43 09 E

Time Difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

The origin of the name is disputed; multiple descriptions, possibilities, and theories have been proposed

U.S. Embassy Djibouti Lotissement Haramous Lot # 350B Djibouti City, Republic of Djibouti Phone: 253-21-453-000 Email: ConsularDjibouti@State.gov

Military Branches

Djibouti Armed Forces (Forces Armees Djiboutiennes, FAD): Djibouti National Army (includes Navy, Djiboutian Air Force (Force Aerienne Djiboutienne, FAD), National Gendarmerie (GN)

Service Age and Obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; 16-25 years of age for voluntary military training; no conscription