Various sources report that a peace agreement was reached on 26 December 1994 between the government of Djibouti and a faction of the opposition rebel group FRUD (Indian Ocean Newsletter 24 Dec. 1994, 2; ibid. 7 Jan. 1995, 4; Keesing's Jan. 1995, 40348-9; Radio France International 26 Dec. 1994; Reuters 26 Dec. 1994).

The terms of the agreement call for a cessation of the armed conflict, an alliance of FRUD and the ruling Popular Rally for Progress party for "the management of affairs," that is, government posts for the FRUD, and constitutional and electoral reforms, as well as the integration of FRUD fighters into the Djibouti armed forces (Indian Ocean Newsletter 24 Dec. 1994, 2; ibid. 7 Jan. 1995, 4; Keesing's Jan. 1995, 40348-9; Radio France International 26 Dec. 1994; Reuters 26 Dec. 1994).

According to the Indian Ocean Newsletter, two, and possibly three, government portfolios were expected to go to FRUD members as part of the agreement (7 Jan. 1995). However, no reports confirming the participation of FRUD members in the government could be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

By late January 1995 former FRUD combatants were expected to be integrated into the Djibouti army (Horn of Africa Bulletin Feb. 1995, 4; Indian Ocean Newsletter 21 Jan. 1995).

Despite the peace agreement, a faction of the FRUD, led by former leader Ahmed Dini, remains opposed to the government and refused to be a party to the agreement (Horn of Africa Bulletin Jan. 1995, 2; Indian Ocean Newsletter 7 Jan. 1995; Keesing's Jan. 1995, 40349).

For additional information, please consult the attachments.

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.

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. February 1995. "Some 300 Former FRUD Fighters Join National Army."

_____. January 1995. "Press Release by Original FRUD Faction Led by Ahmed Dini."

Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 21 January 1995. No. 655. "Djibouti: Army Integration for FRUD." (NEXIS)

_____. 7 January 1995. No. 653. "Djibouti: The Dove of Peace." (NEXIS)

_____. 24 December 1994. No. 652. "Djibouti: Agreement with FRUD At Last."

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. January 1995. Vol. 41, No. 1. "Djibouti: FRUD Peace Agreement."

Radio France International [Paris, in French]. 26 December 1994. "Government, FRUD Faction Sign Agreement." (FBIS-AFR-94-248 27 Dec. 1994, p. 5)

Reuters. 26 December 1994. BC Cycle. "Djibouti Foes Sign Peace Accord." (NEXIS)

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. February 1995. "Some 300 Former FRUD Fighters Join National Army," p.4.

_____. January 1995. "Government Signs Peace Agreement and Alliance with Rebel Splinter Group," p. 2.

_____. January 1995. "Press Release by Original FRUD Faction Led by Ahmed Dini," p. 2.

_____. January 1995. "Background to Conflict in Djibouti," pp. 2-3.

Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 21 January 1995. No. 655. "Djibouti: Army Integration for FRUD." (NEXIS)

_____. 7 January 1995. No. 653. "Djibouti: The Dove of Peace." (NEXIS)

_____. 7 January 1995. No. 653. "Ougoureh Kifleh Ahmed (Djibouti)." (NEXIS)

_____. 24 December 1994. No. 652. "Djibouti: Agreement with FRUD At Last," p. 2.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. January 1995. Vol. 41, No. 1. "Djibouti: FRUD Peace Agreement," pp. 40348-9.

Radio France International [Paris, in French]. 26 December 1994. "Government, FRUD Faction Sign Agreement." (FBIS-AFR-94-248 27 Dec. 1994, p. 5)

Reuters. 26 December 1994. BC Cycle. "Djibouti Foes Sign Peace Accord." (NEXIS)