Introduction
On 9th April 2025, the Republic of Djibouti signed the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, signalling the government's intention to ratify and implement the instrument. The ceremony at the Ministry of Women and Family showcased high-level continental backing and the launch of a national chapter of the African Women Leaders Network. The act constitutes a strong political gesture.
ASSOCIATION
A delegation of Djiboutian human rights defenders, lawyers and opposition representatives conducted a working visit to the Belgian Parliament and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brussels in April 2025. The mission sought to expose ongoing human rights violations in Djibouti and to strengthen international solidarity with victims of repression. The visit underscored growing concern over arbitrary arrests, intimidation of dual nationals and the suppression of civic and political freedoms. It also demonstrated the increasing reliance of Djiboutian civil society on international advocacy in response to the absence of domestic avenues for accountability.
Expression
The 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranks Djibouti 168 out of 180 countries, placing it among the nations with the most repressive environments for press freedom. This marks a drop in its ranking from 143 in 2024, a significant drop from its 2023 ranking of 121. This ranking indicates a "very serious" situation for journalists and media outlets operating in the country.