Country Report on Terrorism 2023 - Chapter 1 - Djibouti

Overview:  Djibouti continued to be a critical partner for the United States and the region in the fight against terrorism.  Djibouti hosts Camp Lemonnier, the headquarters of AFRICOM’s Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (among several other U.S. military and government tenants) and the only enduring U.S. military installation in Africa.  Given its proximity to terrorist organizations such as al-Shabaab in neighboring Somalia, Djiboutian government officials, particularly those in law enforcement and cultural affairs, continue to prioritize counterterrorism (CT) efforts to identify and address potential terrorist activity.  The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional organization headquartered in Djibouti, also maintains the Center of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (ICEPCVE), providing training and resources to counter violent extremism throughout the region.  Djibouti’s armed forces deployed two battalions to the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and will likely keep some bilateral forces in Somalia as ATMIS winds down.  Djibouti continued to field a Rapid Intervention Battalion for urgent CT missions through the end of the year.

2023 Terrorist Attacks:  On December 19, members of the Armed Front for the Restoration of United and Democracy (FRUD Armée) orchestrated an attack against Djiboutian Armed Forces (FAD) in the Boli village of Tadjoura Region.  The FRUD Armée communiqué claimed three FAD soldiers were injured.

Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security:  The National Assembly of Djibouti adopted a law to designate FRUD-Armée as a terrorist organization in October 2022.  Djibouti has a legal framework for prosecuting terrorism-related crimes and can try those charged of such offenses in criminal courts under its penal code.

Djiboutian law enforcement agencies consist of the National Police (DNP), the National Gendarmerie, the General Directorate for Services of Documentation and Security (DGSDS), and the Coast Guard – all of which proactively detect, deter, and prevent acts of terrorism in the country.  The DNP, the Gendarmerie, and the Coast Guard utilize biometrics, including DNA, and can conduct identity and network analysis.

In 2023, Djiboutian law enforcement participated in the East Africa iteration of the FBI’s International Executive Program, a flagship program that strengthens partnerships and builds professional networks.  Djibouti continues to improve border security to deter terrorist travel, with rural border patrols and increased use of border security systems such as PISCES.  While air and sea entry points remain critical, the vast majority of travelers enter Djibouti through its four land border posts, one of which serves the Somali-Djibouti border.  Aside from Djibouti City’s ports, maritime travelers can also enter at Obock on the north side of the Gulf of Tadjoura.  The DNP controls border checkpoints, while the Gendarmerie patrols between checkpoints, and the FAD patrols land borders in remote locations.  Law enforcement agencies also maintain internal checkpoints and conduct random cordon-and-search operations in the capital region.

Countering the Financing of Terrorism:  Djibouti is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), and its Financial Intelligence Unit is Le Service de Renseignements Financiers (SRF).  There were no significant changes in 2023.

Countering Violent Extremism:  The Ministry of Justice leads the National Antiterrorism Taskforce, consisting of a national commission of experts, including from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ICEPCVE.  The task force has held several terrorism-related exercises, including on responding to attacks on soft targets.  Although law enforcement measures constitute the majority of Djibouti’s CT strategy, community engagement through youth, sports, culture, and civil society is an increasingly important feature of its efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism.  Law enforcement agencies continue to work with the High Islamic Council within the Ministry of Islamic and Cultural Affairs to identify and monitor activity that could promote violent extremism.

International and Regional Cooperation:  Djibouti hosts IGAD’s executive secretariat and the IGAD’s ICEPCVE.  The eight members of IGAD are Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.