Travel & safety — Djibouti

Djibouti is a developing country located at the juncture of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean that gained independence from France in 1977.

It is a multi-party democracy with a legal system based on French civil law, though modified by traditional practices and Islamic (Sharia) law.

Although exact numbers are unavailable, unemployment is estimated to be in excess of 60% of the working-age population.

Over two-thirds of the country’s estimated 850,000 residents live in the capital, also called Djibouti.

Modern tourist facilities and communications infrastructure exist in the city of Djibouti but are limited outside the capital.

Djibouti’s historically stable political climate tends to become more fluid following national elections.

In 2011 following a Presidential election and in February 2013 following parliamentary elections, sporadic protesting marked by rock throwing and tire burning disrupted travel around the city.

If you see a demonstration, do not try to walk or drive through it.

Remember the importance of maintaining a low profile.

Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.

You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution near any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.

Djibouti’s international borders are porous.

Terrorism poses a threat in east Africa and in particular, al-Shabaab (which merged with al-Qaeda in February 2012) poses a threat to U.S. citizens in Djibouti.

After Djibouti announced it would join the AMISOM peacekeeping mission to Somalia, al Shabaab threatened to retaliate by launching attacks inside Djibouti.

On July 11, 2010, al-Shabaab launched simultaneous suicide attacks at two popular venues in Kampala, Uganda where people had gathered to watch the World Cup.

Dozens of people were killed and injured, including Americans.

U.S. citizens traveling in east Africa should be aware of the potential for indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places, including hotels, and tourist sites where Westerners are known to congregate.

Kidnapping of Westerners for ransom is a growing concern in the region.

Read our Worldwide Caution for more information on terrorism in Africa.

Tensions exist between neighboring Ethiopia and Eritrea due to their long-running border dispute.

Relations were further aggravated in January 2012 when ethnic Afar gunmen attacked a Western tourist convoy travelling in Ethiopia's northeastern region that borders Djibouti.

In March and May 2012, Ethiopia staged raids across the Eritrean border - bringing tensions to their highest point since the 1998-2000 war between the two countries.

Since April 2008, there has been tension on Djibouti’s border with Eritrea after the Eritrean military occupied disputed territory, killing several Djiboutian soldiers and wounding dozens more.

Americans in Djibouti should not attempt to cross the land border with Eritrea nor travel north of the town of Obock.

Civil unrest or armed conflict in neighboring countries could disrupt air travel to and from Djibouti or otherwise negatively affect its security.

Travelers should exercise caution when traveling to any remote area of Djibouti, especially near the borders with Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

Pirates and other criminals have specifically targeted and kidnapped foreigners working in Somalia.

In October 2011, a U.S. citizen aid worker living in Somalia was kidnapped, and in January 2012, another U.S. citizen was kidnapped while on work-related travel in Somalia.

In both cases, as well as in recent kidnappings of other Westerners, the victims took precautionary measures by hiring local security personnel, but those hired to protect them appear to have played a key role in the abductions.

A strong familiarity with Somalia and/or extensive prior travel to the region does not reduce travel risk.

Any U.S. citizens travelling to Somalia, including Somaliland and Puntland, are advised to obtain Kidnap and Recovery Insurance, as well as Medical Evacuation Insurance, prior to travel and register with the U.S.

Embassy in Nairobi, which covers Somalia.

Seaborne travel near Djibouti is extremely dangerous.

There have been hundreds of incidents of armed attacks and robberies at sea by pirate groups on ships transiting around the Horn of Africa.

On February 21, 2011, pirates hijacked a yacht in the Gulf of Aden carrying four Americans, who were subsequently killed.

Additionally, after the April 2009 hijacking of a U.S. cargo vessel and subsequent rescue of the vessel’s captain by U.S. forces, Somali pirates threatened to retaliate against U.S. citizens trans

Accurate Djiboutian crime statistics are not available, but the majority of crimes are petty theft and crimes of opportunity.

Anecdotal evidence suggests an increasing frequency of violent crimes against Djiboutian citizens and burglaries of residences in established neighborhoods.

Violent crimes against foreigners are rare in Djibouti.

However, foreigners are frequent victims of snatch-and-grab robberies and price gouging by unscrupulous taxi drivers.

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

While you are traveling in Djibouti, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.

In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.

In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

In some places, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol could land you immediately in jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in Djibouti, but still illegal in the United States.

For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Djibouti, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what is legal and what is not wherever you go.

If you are arrested in Djibouti, you have the right to request authorities alert the U.S.

Adequate medical facilities in the capital of Djibouti are limited and trauma services are only for stabilization and air ambulance transfer.

Medical services in many outlying areas are nonexistent.

Even in the capital, hospitals are unable to treat many ailments and frequently recommend medical evacuation.

Visitors to Djibouti should purchase medical evacuation insurance.

Hospitals in Djibouti require up-front cash payment for services and do not have service agreements with U.S. insurance companies.

Cash payment will be requested in full before the patient is allowed to depart the hospital – reimbursement may then be requested by the U.S.

Citizen through their insurance company in the United States.

U.S.

Motorists should be especially aware that, in case of an accident outside the capital, emergency medical treatment would depend on assistance from passersby.

In addition, cell phone coverage in outlying areas is often unavailable, making it impossible to summon help.

Ambulance service in Djibouti is limited in effectiveness, must be scheduled and paid for in advance and is only a means of transportation.

U.S.

Citizen visitors to Djibouti are not permitted to access Embassy or U.S.

Military medical facilities and must depend entirely on local medical facilities.

Malaria and dengue fever are endemic to Djibouti.

Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and even up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention, tell their medical provider about their travel history and what anti-malarial drugs they have been taking.

In 2013, polio was found in Djibouti’s neighbors (Somalia and Ethiopia), and health professionals strongly suspect it is present in Djibouti.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all infants and children in the United States should receive four doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) at 2, 4, 6–18 months and 4–6 years of age.

Adults traveling to polio-endemic and epidemic areas and who have received a primary series with either IPV or oral polio vaccine should receive another dose of IPV.

For adults, available data does not indicate the need for more than a single lifetime booster dose with IPV.

Tuberculosis is a serious health concern in Djibouti, including multi-drug resistant strains.

For further information, please consult the CDC's information on TB.

In May 2006, avian influenza was confirmed in three chickens and one human in Djibouti.

While in Djibouti, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Djibouti is provided for general reference only, and may not be accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

The only means of public inter-city travel is by bus.

Buses are poorly maintained and their operators often drive erratically with little regard for passenger safety.

Taxis should be avoided at all costs.

Driving on Djiboutian roads can be hazardous.

Since most roads do not have shoulders or sidewalks, pedestrians and livestock use the roadways both day and night.

Driving at night is extremely dangerous and strongly discouraged on all roads outside Djibouti City.

While some main roads in Djibouti are well maintained, roads are often narrow, poorly lit, or rutted.

Many secondary roads are in poor repair.

Drivers and pedestrians should exercise extreme caution.

Minibuses and cars often break down; when breakdowns occur, local drivers usually place branches or rocks behind the vehicle to indicate trouble, but these warning signals are barely visible and hazardous in and of themselves.

Excessive speed, unpredictable local driving habits, pedestrians, and livestock in the roadway, and the lack of basic safety equipment on many vehicles are daily hazards.

Speed limits are posted occasionally but are not enforced.

The leafy narcotic – khat, is widely used, particularly in the afternoons, creating other traffic hazards.

The Djiboutian Gendarmerie and the National Police Force share responsibility for road safety in Djibouti.

In March 2012, a “Road Police” was created, though its role has yet to be clearly defined.

Djiboutian authorities recently erected traffic lights to help regulate the flow of traffic.

Be very cautious approaching these lights, as many other drivers continue to disregard them.

It is illegal to turn right on a red light.

Travelers should be aware that police use large obstacles as roadblocks on some of the major roads, and these may be difficult to see at night.

There are two main international highways to the capital city, via Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, and Obock, Djibouti, and both demand that drivers remain vigilant.

The route toward Dire Dawa is in very poor condition.

Both have a high volume of Ethiopian trucks transporting large cargo.

Railroad crossings are not clearly marked.

Drivers who do not have a four-wheel drive vehicle will encounter problems driving on rural roads.

While the quality of roads is improving, drivers should make sure their vehicle is in good mechanical condition before leaving major population centers.

Once a driver has left Djibouti city there are limited services to aid broken-down vehicles.

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