Djibouti

Djibouti   Djibouti

Djibouti’s home is next to one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world – the low-lying Lake Assal, in the Danakil Dersert. Djibouti is located on the horn of Africa. It held its first multiparty election in 1999 where Ismail Omar Guelleh ended up as the president. In 2005 he was reelected and in this term he extended his tenure in office through a constitutional amendment. Due to the longstanding ties to France, there is significant French military presence in the country. Additionally, it has long ties with the United States.

Politics: Republic- President Ismail Omar Guelleh

Capital: Djibouti

Official Language: French and Arabic

National Anthem: Somali: Jabuuti, Afar: Gabuuti

Population: 828,324 (July 2015 est.)

Media and Freedom Of expression Landscape

The media environment of Djibouti is limited in Africa. There is a dominance of government in both print and broadcast media, limitations on free speech, low levels of internet access, severe, and frequent attacks on journalists. There is a provision for freedom of speech and the press; however in reality the government enforces curbs on the operations of independent media in Djibouti. The National Communication Commission, charged with issuing private radio and television broadcasting licenses, accepted its first application in 2012, though it remained pending at the end of the year. The 1992 Freedom of Communication Law prescribes prison sentences for media offenses and imposes age and nationality requirements on anyone establishing a private news outlet. Djibouti does not have a law assuring access to public information. Freedom House has more or BBC News.

Click BBC country profiles for further reading.