Printer friendly version
Email
Djibouti
Country Specific Information
On this page » |
|
June 10, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Djibouti is a developing African country located at the juncture of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is a multi-party
democracy with a legal system based on French civil law (Djibouti was a French colony until 1977), though modified by traditional
practices and Islamic (Sharia) law. Although exact statistics are unavailable, unemployment is estimated in excess of 50%
of the working-age population. Over two-thirds of the country’s 650,000 residents live in the capital, also called Djibouti.
Modern tourist facilities and communications links are found in the city of Djibouti, but are limited outside the capital.
Read the Department of State Background Notes on Djibouti for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport, visa, and evidence of yellow fever vaccination are required. Travelers may obtain the latest information on
entry requirements from the Embassy of the Republic of Djibouti, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, telephone (202)
331-0270, or at the Djibouti Mission to the United Nations, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 4011, New York, N.Y. 10017, telephone
(212) 753-3163. Overseas, inquiries may be made at the nearest Djiboutian embassy or consulate. In countries where there
is no Djiboutian diplomatic representation, travelers may sometimes obtain visas at the French Embassy.
American journalists or any American connected with the media must contact the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs section prior
to travel to facilitate entry into Djibouti. If you are unclear whether this applies to you, please contact the U.S. Embassy
for more information.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Djibouti enjoys a stable political climate. However, its international borders are porous and lightly patrolled. In particular,
Somalia, Djibouti's neighbor to the south, is a haven for terrorists and insurgent elements. Tensions exist between neighboring
Ethiopia and Eritrea due to their long-running border dispute. Since April, 2008, there has been increased tension on Djibouti’s
border with Eritrea after an incursion by Eritreans in that area. Civil unrest or armed conflict in neighboring countries
could disrupt air travel to and from Djibouti or otherwise negatively affect its security.
Terrorism continues to pose a threat in East Africa. U.S. citizens traveling in East Africa should be aware of the potential
for indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places, including tourist sites and other sites where Westerners
are known to congregate. Visit the State Department web site for the most current travel warning on East Africa.
Travelers should exercise caution when traveling to any remote area of Djibouti, especially near the borders with Eritrea,
Ethiopia, and Somalia. The recent Eritrean incursion underscores the importance of increased caution near that border.
Demonstrations have become more frequent due to power outages and the increase in energy prices. Americans are advised to
avoid all demonstrations as they may become violent.
Americans considering seaborne travel should exercise extreme caution. There have been several recent incidents of armed
attacks and robberies at sea by unknown groups on ships transiting around the Horn of Africa. See the Country Specific Information
(CSI) sheets on Yemen and Somalia for recent information on maritime conditions in Yemeni and Somali waters. It is strongly
recommended that vessels convoy in groups and maintain good communications contact at all times. Marine channels 12, 13 and
16 VHF-FM are international call-up and emergency channels and are commonly monitored by ships at sea. 2182 Mhz is the HF
international call-up and emergency channel. In the Gulf of Aden, use of transit routes farther offshore appears to reduce,
but does not eliminate, the risk of contact with assailants. Wherever possible, travel in trafficked sea-lanes. Avoid loitering
in or transiting isolated or remote areas. In the event of an attack, consider activating the Emergency Position Indicating
Radio Beacon. Due to distances involved, there may be a considerable delay before assistance arrives. Vessels may also contact
the Yemeni Coast Guard 24-hour Operations Center at 967 1 562-402. Operations Center staff members speak English.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times for ready proof of identity and
U.S. citizenship if questioned by local officials. Police occasionally stop travelers on the main roads leading out of the
capital to check identity documents.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of
Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, including the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Accurate crime statistics are not available, but crime appears to be on the rise. Most crimes are petty thefts, but there have also been home invasions and more serious crimes. Major crimes involving third country nationals (TCNs) are rare, but increasing in frequency. The number of murders involving Djiboutians and TCNS has increased.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Adequate medical facilities in the capital of Djibouti are limited, and medicines are often unavailable. Medicines that
are available are extremely expensive. Medical services in some outlying areas may be completely nonexistent. Motorists
especially should be aware that in case of an accident outside the capital, emergency medical treatment would depend almost
exclusively on passersby. In addition, cell phone coverage in outlying areas is often unavailable, making it impossible to
summon help.
Malaria and dengue fever are prevalent in Djibouti. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling
in a malaria-risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician
their travel history and what anti-malarial drugs they have been taking.
In 2005, polio was found in all of Djibouti’s neighbors (Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Yemen), 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, and 6–18 months and
4–6 years of age. Adults who are 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.
The prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) in Djibouti is very high, at over 100 cases per 100,000 population, the highest WHO risk
category. Travelers planning to stay more than one month should have pre-departure PPD skin test status documented. Travelers
should avoid crowded public places and public transportation whenever possible. Domestic help should be screened for TB.
In May 2006, avian influenza was confirmed in three chickens and one human in Djibouti. For more information about this illness,
see the Department of State’s Avian Flu Fact Sheet.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at
http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens 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 totally accurate
in a particular location or circumstance.
The Djiboutian Gendarmerie and the national police force share responsibility for road safety in Djibouti. While Djibouti
has been declared a “mine-safe” country, this indicates landmines have been identified and marked, not that they have been
removed. Landmines are known to be present in northern Tadjourah and Obock districts. In addition, there may be mines in
the Ali Sabieh area of the south. Travelers should stay on paved roads and should check with local authorities before using
unpaved roads.
Driving on Djibouti 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 washed-out.
Many secondary roads are in poor repair or completely washed-out. 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. 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. Travelers should be aware that police set up wire coils as roadblocks on some of the major roads,
and these may be difficult to see at night.
Drivers who do not have a four-wheel drive vehicle will encounter problems driving on rural roads. There are no emergency
services for stranded drivers, and it is always advisable to carry a cell phone or satellite phone when undertaking a trip
outside of town; however, many parts of the country do not have cell phone coverage.
The two main international routes to the capital city, via Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, and Yoboki, Djibouti, both demand that drivers
remain vigilant. The route towards Dire Dawa is in very poor condition. Both have a high volume of Ethiopian trucks transporting
large cargo. Railroad crossings are often not clearly marked.
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.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the web site of Djibouti’s national tourist office for more information at http://www.office-tourisme.dj/.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Djibouti, the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has not assessed Djibouti’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Although the narcotic khat is legal and widely chewed in Djibouti, it is considered an illegal substance in many countries,
including the United States.
Djiboutians are generally conservative in dress and manner, especially in rural areas.
Photography of public infrastructure (including, but not limited to, public buildings, seaports, the airport, bridges, military
facilities or personnel) is not allowed in Djibouti. Use extreme caution when photographing anyone or anything near prohibited
areas. Photographic equipment will be confiscated, and the photographer may be arrested.
Djibouti is a cash-based economy and credit cards are not widely accepted. Automated teller machines (ATMs) are limited.
Changing money on the street is legal, but be aware of possible scams as well as personal safety considerations if people
observe you carrying large amounts of cash. The exchange rate on the street will be similar to that at a bank or hotel.
It is important that the U.S. banknotes that you carry have a date of 2003 or newer because many currency exchanges will not
accept U.S. paper money older than 2003.
Djiboutian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Djibouti
of firearms. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Djibouti in Washington, DC, for specific information regarding customs
requirements.
Please see our Customs Information.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Djiboutian law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Djibouti are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Djibouti are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through
the State Department’s travel registration web site and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Djibouti. Americans without Internet access may register
directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or
Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.
The U.S. Embassy is located at Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti City. The mailing address is Ambassade
Americaine, B.P. 185, Djibouti, Republique de Djibouti. The telephone number is (253) 35-39-95. The fax number is (253)
35-39-40. Normal working hours are Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
* * *
This replaces the Country Specific Information dated February 5, 2008, to update the section on Safety and Security.
