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Political System

People and Politics

 The Djiboutian people is composed of two main tribes:

  • Al-Issa (Somalis) most of whom live in the capital and in the south-eastern regions.
  • Al-Afar (Danakil) the majority of whom reside in a few northern and western areas of the population, and they previously had sultanates in these areas and in Eritrea.

    • In addition to the Al-Issa and Al-Afar tribes lives a Yemeni Arab minority.


Political System


Regime:Presidential republic.


President of the Republic:Ismail Omar Guelleh (Al-Issa tribe). Took office in 1999 replacing former president Hassan Gouled Aptidon. He was reelected to a second term in 2005, a third term in April 2011 after the amendments to the constitution. and a fourth term in April 2016.


Presidential term: It was 6 years and now is 5 years after amendments were made to the constitution in 2010.


Executive Authority:Executive authority in Djibouti is made up of the head of State, who is elected in a direct referendum, and the president appoints the prime minister. The executive authority also consists of the Council of Ministers.


legislative Authority: The legislative authority consists of one council (General Assembly) made up of 65 members, who each serve a 5 year term.


Judicial Authority : Judicial authority is made up of the Supreme Court which is the highest judicial authority in the country.


Legislative Elections: The last legislative elections in Djibouti were held on February 22, 2013 and resulted in the victory of the ruling coalition with 55 seats in parliament, compared to 10 seats for the opposition.



Political Parties in Djibouti

  • Ruling Coalition Parties (4 Parties)
    • People's Rally for Progress (Ruling party).
    • Front for Restoration of Unity and Democracy.
    • Social Democratic People's Party.
    • Union of Reform Partisans .

  • Recognized Opposition Parties (5 Parties):
    • Republican Alliance for Democracy.
    • National Democratic Party.
    • Movement for Democratic Renewal and Development.
    • Djibouti Party for Development
    • Djibouti Rally for Work, Development and Democracy.

  • Independent Parties (one-party):
    • Centre Démocrate Unifié Djiboutian.