Djibouti
Friday 28.1.2022 Djibouti - Latest Developments -
Lieutenant Fouad Youssouf Ali sentenced to 10 years in prison for speaking out on corruption
Criminal Court of Djibouti sentences former Djiboutian Air Force Lieutenant Fouad Youssouf Ali to 10 years in prison and a fine of 300,000 FD (1,686 USD) in relation to his 2020 video alleging corruption by a high-ranking military official and clan-based discrimination on 12th June 2020. Read more | Read in French
Tuesday 30.11.2021 Djibouti - Latest Developments -
Facebook blocked amid ethnic clashes, HRD nominated for award
Government blocks Facebook temporarily following clashes in several parts of Djibouti’s capital city; The Index on Censorship nominated Kadar Abdi Ibrahim, the former co-director and chief editor of L'Aurore, Djibouti's only privately-owned media outlet, for its annual freedom of expression awards. Read more
Friday 12.3.2021 Djibouti - Latest Developments -
Protests break out against President Ismail Omar Guelleh
Djiboutians held demonstrations to protest a fifth term for incumbent President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who is running for re-election beyond his two-decade rule (34 years to be precise). According to the President, “Young Djiboutians told me to stay put, so that’s why I’m standing for re-election". Guelleh, 73, is facing political newcomer Zakaria Ismail Farah, his only rival after traditional opposition parties decided to boycott the upcoming election, citing lack of fairness and transparency. President Guelleh recently engineered a change in the constitution to eliminate a provision that would have prevented him from seeking re-election for a further term. Read more
Wednesday 10.2.2021 Djibouti - Latest Developments -
La Voix de Djibouti recognised for their journalism, but attacked by President Guelleh
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) nominates La Voix de Djibouti (Voice of Djibouti), the last remaining Djiboutian independent news source, for their annual Press Freedom Award, the ‘Prize of Courage’; President Guelleh makes inflammatory and inaccurate comments about the media outlet Read more | Read in French
Monday 12.10.2020 Djibouti - Latest Developments -
Police crack down on protesters and journalists following rare demonstrations in Djibouti
Throughout June and July 2020, rare street protests broke out in support of former Djiboutian Air Force Lieutenant Fouad Youssouf Ali and against the treatment meted out to him while in detention. The protests were met with excessive force by security forces. Read more | Read in French
Tuesday 28.4.2020 Djibouti - Latest Developments -
Opposition members face increasing restrictions ahead of 2021 elections
Demonstration by RADDE (Rally for Action, Democracy and Ecological Development) slated for 16th April 2020 in front of the National Assembly banned by the Interior Minister; Protests in Arhiba, on the outskirts of the capital city, met with brutal force; ARD party reports kidnapping and arbitrary detention of one of their members Dilleyta Tourab; Report by the UN Secretary-General notes that journalist and human rights defender Kadar Abdi Ibrahim continued to suffer reprisals; Reporters Without Borders (RSF) unblocks the website of La Voix de Djibouti, Djibouti’s only independent media outlet; High-profile blogger, Samatar Ahmed Osman's wife arrested, detained and interrogated before release; Read more | Read in French
Wednesday 30.10.2019 Djibouti - Latest Developments -
Activists detained for exercising freedom of expression
youth activist arrested for sharing photos online of President Ismail Omar Guelleh sleeping during an international summit, activist arrested after making a speech on corruption that linked high level government officials in the Djibouti regime, Djiboutian government releases 19 Eritrean Prisoners of War (POWs) who were detained in Djibouti for 11 years Read more
Saturday 19.5.2018 Djibouti - Latest Developments -
Police crackdown on rare protest in Djibouti
Police used unnecessary and excessive force against dozens of protesters who had gathered in Tadjourah, Djibouti to denounce alleged nepotism. At least six peaceful protesters have been charged with threatening public order Read more
Friday 4.5.2018 Djibouti - Latest Developments -
HRD's passport confiscated ahead of Djibouti's Universal Periodic Review at the UN
Authorities confiscated the passport of human rights defender Kadar Abdi Ibrahim and therefore preventing him from leaving the country. Read more