On Thursday, September 17, 2026, the Minister of Interior of Djibouti, Omar Abdessaid, who is also the Deputy Minister of Defense, presided over a consultative meeting at the temporary headquarters of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. The meeting was attended by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Zakaria Sheikh Ibrahim, as well as the Director of the National Police, the Acting Chief of Staff of the National Gendarmerie, and the Acting Commander of the Coast Guard.
The meeting was held in accordance with the directives issued by the President of the Republic, Prime Minister, and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, during the Council of Ministers meeting on September 2, 2026. It also followed up on the recommendations from the coordination meeting held on September 8, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The discussions focused on implementing a campaign to regulate the status of persons irregularly present on national territory.
The meeting aimed to define the responsibilities of various defense and security institutions involved and to unify and coordinate efforts. The participants emphasized their readiness to implement this campaign with the highest level of professionalism, while strictly adhering to Djibouti's international commitments, international humanitarian law, and human rights.
The campaign to regulate the status of irregular persons in Djibouti is part of the government's efforts to address the issue of irregular migration and to provide a safer and more stable environment for all individuals in the country. The authorities have been working to enhance coordination among relevant agencies and to develop effective strategies for managing migration flows.
Djibouti has been a key transit point for migrants and asylum seekers, with many attempting to cross the Gulf of Aden to reach other countries in the region. The government has been working to strengthen its border controls and to provide assistance to those in need, while also addressing the root causes of migration.
The meeting chaired by Minister Omar Abdessaid demonstrates the government's commitment to addressing the complex issues surrounding irregular migration and to finding effective solutions that balance security concerns with humanitarian considerations. The implementation of the campaign will be closely monitored, and its impact is expected to be significant in terms of improving the situation for irregular persons in Djibouti.
Key points
- The Djibouti government is taking steps to regulate the status of irregular persons in the country.
- The meeting was held in accordance with presidential directives and followed up on previous recommendations.
- The campaign aims to unify efforts and define responsibilities among defense and security institutions.
