According to Supplement to Information Session on Country Conditions on Somalia, Issas constittute about 50 per cent of the population of Djibouti and one per cent of the population of Ethiopia (15 Feb. 1996).

During telephone interviews with the DIRB, officials of the Embassy of the Republic of Djibouti in Washington, DC, and the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Ottawa, both stated that the Issas mainly speak the Somali language (28 Oct. 1996). However, the official of the embassy of Ethiopia stated that the Issas in Ethiopia also speak Issa (ibid.). Both officials stated that Arabic is widely spoken by Issas in both countries because it is the language of business in Yemen and the Middle East where the Issas have contacts (ibid.). The representatives were unable to say what percentage of the Issas speak Arabic.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Embassy of the Republic of Djibouti, Washington, DC. 28 October 1996. Telephone interview with official.

Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Ottawa. 28 October 1996. Telephone interview with official.

Supplement of Information Session on Country Conditions on Somalia. Toronto Front.
15 February 1996.