Government and Politics of Djibouti

The politics of Djibouti takes place in the framework of a semi-presidential republic wherein the Executive power is under the control of the Djibouti government while the Legislative power is shared by both the government and the country’s parliament.

The Djibouti National Assembly represents the legislative branch of the government of Djibouti. It is a unicameral one and consists of only one functional parliamentary chamber. Consisting of 65 members, the National Assembly of Djibouti reflects the varied ethnic electorate of the east African country. A mixture of the principal two tribes of the east African country- Issa and Afar can be seen in the Djibouti National Assembly. The Somali origin Issa tribe has a representation of 21 legislative members. The Afar tribe has strength of 30 members. The remaining seats are held by minor tribes of the Somali origin.

The Constitution of Djibouti seems to be heavily influenced by the French Constitution. France was the former colonial power in the east African region.

The politics of Djibouti is dominated by one ruling party-People’s Rally for Progress. The PRP party governs the Republic of Djibouti with co-operation from the Front for Restoration of Unity and Democracy or FRUD. The Front for Restoration of Unity and Democracy broadly represents the political hopes and aspirations of the Afar tribe who are the natives of the east African country.

The President is the head of state while the Prime Minister heads the national government. He wields considerable power over the Executive branch of the government but does not have any autocratic control over the African country’s legislative powers. The Djibouti President is democratically elected to the post. He is vested with the task of appointing ministers and other government office bearers. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of the People’s Rally for Progress is the current President of Djibouti. He succeeded his uncle, Hassan Gouled Aptidon, and assumed office on May 8, 1999.

The Prime Minister of Djibouti is also appointed by the President. The current Prime Minister of Djibouti is His Excellency Dileita Mohamed Dileita belonging to the Afar tribe of Djibouti.

Djibouti is a member of the Arab League and this helps the country foster amiable foreign relations between various countries. Post the September 11 attacks of 2001, Djibouti has also joined the Global War against Terrorism.

The favorable Djibouti Foreign relations with the United States have fetched considerable amount of foreign aids from the country. Djibouti also tries to maintain good relations with neighboring states of Somalia and Ethiopia.

All the information about the entry and exit regulations in Djibouti are provided by the embassies.

In countries where Djibouti embassies are not there, travelers can obtain the respective visas from French embassies. Embassies in Djibouti include embassies of countries including Ethiopia, France, Libya, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia Sudan, United States and Yemen.