Briefing d'orientation à Djibouti

Le Djibouti actuel était le site des sultanats médiévaux d'Ifat et d'Adal. À la fin du XIXe siècle, les sultans afars signèrent avec les Français des traités qui permirent à ces derniers d'établir la colonie de la Côte française des Somalis en 1862. Les Français signèrent en 1885 des traités supplémentaires avec les Somalis de souche.

Les tensions entre les populations afar et somalie de souche s'accrurent au fil du temps, les Somalis estimant que les Français favorisaient injustement les Afars et leur accordaient une influence disproportionnée dans la gouvernance locale. En 1958, les Français organisèrent un référendum offrant aux habitants de la Côte française des Somalis le choix entre maintenir leur association avec la France ou rejoindre la Somalie voisine, qui accédait à l'indépendance. Les Somalis de souche protestèrent contre ce vote, car les dirigeants coloniaux français ne reconnaissaient pas comme résidents un grand nombre de Somalis, ce qui donnait aux Afars une influence démesurée dans la décision de maintenir les liens avec la France. Après un second référendum en 1967, les Français rebaptisèrent le territoire Territoire français des Afars et des Issas, en partie pour souligner leur relation avec les Afars et minimiser l'importance des Somalis. Un dernier référendum en 1977 consacra l'indépendance de Djibouti en tant que nation et accorda aux Somalis de souche la nationalité djiboutienne, rétablissant formellement l'équilibre des pouvoirs entre la population somalie majoritaire et la minorité afar.

À l'indépendance, le pays fut nommé d'après sa capitale, Djibouti. Hassan Gouled APTIDON, dirigeant somali de souche, instaura un État à parti unique autoritaire et exerça la présidence jusqu'en 1999. Les troubles entre la minorité afar et la majorité somalie aboutirent à une guerre civile au cours des années 1990, qui prit fin en 2001 avec un accord de paix entre les rebelles afars et le gouvernement somali à dominante issa. En 1999, la première élection présidentielle multipartite de Djibouti porta à la présidence Ismail Omar GUELLEH ; il fut réélu pour un second mandat en 2005 et prolongea son mandat par une révision constitutionnelle, qui lui permit d'exercer ses troisième et quatrième mandats, puis d'entamer un cinquième mandat en 2021.

Djibouti occupe une position géographique stratégique à la jonction de la mer Rouge et du golfe d'Aden. Ses ports traitent 95 % du commerce extérieur de l'Éthiopie. Les ports djiboutiens assurent également le transbordement entre l'Europe, le Moyen-Orient et l'Asie. Le gouvernement entretient de longue date des liens étroits avec la France, qui maintient une présence militaire dans le pays, de même que les États-Unis, le Japon, l'Italie, l'Allemagne, l'Espagne et la Chine.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). 

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Djibouti-Eritrea border

FCDO advises against all travel to the Djibouti-Eritrea border.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Djibouti.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.    

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Djibouti

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Djibouti.

Terrorism attacks could be indiscriminate, including in crowded areas and places frequented by foreign nationals, such as:

• transport hubs
• hotels, restaurants and bars
• shopping areas
• religious events
• sporting events
• military bases

Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

The terrorist group Al Shabaab may see Djibouti and international interests within Djibouti as legitimate targets. This is because Djibouti participates in the African Union peacekeeping mission, ATMIS, and joins in international support of the Somali government. Al Shabaab has issued public threats against Djibouti. 

Crime

Protecting your belongings

There is a risk of petty crime. Take precautions such as:

• not walking alone late at night
• keeping valuables, particularly cameras and passports, out of sight

Laws and cultural differences

Ramadan  

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, do not:

• eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in the daytime, including in your car
• play loud music or dance
• swear in public

Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts. You should show respect to those who are fasting and take care not to offend local values.

You should also:

• check opening hours of shops and restaurants
• be aware that if hotels and restaurants are providing food or drink in fasting hours, they may separate you from Islamic guests, for example with screens
• be aware that government offices and public institutions may change their working hours during Ramadan
• follow local dress codes – clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time
• be aware that fasting can cause tiredness, particularly during the later afternoon and early evening
• be patient and show tolerance

Money

Credit and debit cards are not widely accepted. If credit cards are accepted, you often need a Visa card. ATMs are normally available in Djibouti City, but they may not accept Mastercard. Make sure that you carry enough cash.

Alcohol laws

Drinking alcohol is allowed, but you can get a 2-year prison sentence for drunken behaviour.

Using cameras

Photographing infrastructure, such as ports, public buildings, airports, military facilities, and bridges, is prohibited. Your equipment could be confiscated, and you could be arrested. When taking photos near prohibited places, take care and seek local advice if you are unsure.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual behaviour is not illegal but is not common in Djiboutian public life. Same-sex couples showing affection in public could attract the attention of the authorities under laws around “good morals”.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Djibouti, see information on driving abroad.

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Djibouti for up to 12 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or obtain a local Djiboutian driving licence through the Ministry of Interior.

Driving standards

Driving standards are generally poor. Many drivers use the legal narcotic khat, which contributes to speeding and unsafe driving. Roads are often narrow and poorly lit and maintained.

Stay on paved roads and avoid travelling outside city centres after dark. Vehicles often have no lights and livestock may be on the roads. Many large trucks use the main Djibouti-Ethiopia road.

On some major roads police use wire coils as roadblocks, which are not clearly visible at night.

Air travel

The UK Air Safety List (ASL) lists all known airlines in Djibouti that do not meet international safety standards and are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the UK. Check the UK Air Safety List when considering which airlines to fly with. The list is maintained by the Department for Transport, based on advice from the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Sea travel

There is a significant risk of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. Pirates continue to attack fishing dhows around the Horn of Africa. International naval counter-piracy forces advise all sailing yachts to avoid the designated high-risk area where there is risk of hijacking. See piracy and armed robbery at sea.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

Flooding

Intense rainfall is rare but can cause flash floods, particularly around Djibouti City. Flash floods can cause:

• major disruption to travel and infrastructure, including schools and public places
• damage to buildings and roads
• water-borne and respiratory disease outbreaks

Stay away from flood areas and follow official advice.

Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are a risk in Djibouti. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.

This section has safety advice for regions of Djibouti. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Military activity in the Red Sea area        

There is a risk of military activity is currently underway in response to attempts by Houthi militants to prevent movement of international shipping in the Red Sea. While the area of activity is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, there is a possibility that the situation could change at short notice. You should:  

• read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad - GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”

• sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts

• monitor local and international media for the latest information

Djibouti-Eritrea border

FCDO advises against all travel to the Djibouti-Eritrea border.

In 2008 there were military clashes between Djibouti and Eritrea after Eritrean forces entered the disputed Djibouti border region. The situation remains fragile and further conflict is possible.

Djibouti-Somaliland border

Take great care if you travel to the Djibouti-Somaliland border. The Djiboutian military have set up roadblocks and checkpoints. Follow the advice given by the authorities and seek military approval for journeys in this area.

Landmines near borders

There are unmarked landmines near the Djibouti-Eritrea border. In other border areas most landmines have been marked or cleared. Djibouti’s borders with Ethiopia and Somalia are not always clearly identified.

Roads north of Tadjoura

Take great care travelling on roads north of Tadjoura and Obock where there are military roadblocks.

Respect advice given by those operating the roadblocks. If required, get formal military approval for your journey.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 21 35 09 62 or 21 35 27 12 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:  

• check the latest vaccine recommendations for Djibouti
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in Djibouti, including:

• dengue
• Zika virus
• schistosoma

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

Healthcare in Djibouti

Medical facilities in Djibouti are limited. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Djibouti where some staff will speak English.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.