Djibouti's Balbala Municipality Expands with Moroccan Cooperation

On Thursday, Djibouti City Mayor Said Daoud Mohamed inaugurated the new expanded headquarters of the Balbala municipality. The event was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Economy and Finance Minister Ilyas Moussa Doualeh, Higher Education and Research Minister Nabil Mohamed Ahmed, and Moroccan Ambassador to Djibouti Mohamed Medghari. The project is a result of decentralised cooperation between Djibouti and Rabat, as outlined in a friendship and cooperation agreement between the two cities.

The project was launched in 2024 with the laying of the foundation stone by Rabat Mayor Fatima El Moudni. The new expansion aims to improve working conditions for municipal services, enhance citizen reception, and boost local administration capacity to provide public services. The project also includes creating suitable spaces for neighbourhood councils and local associations to operate.

Economy and Finance Minister Ilyas Moussa Doualeh highlighted the significance of decentralised cooperation in supporting local development and enhancing municipal capacities. He noted that the project aligns with efforts to promote local governance and bring administration closer to citizens. The minister's remarks underscored the Moroccan-Djiboutian cooperation's role in advancing local development.

Djibouti City Mayor Said Daoud Mohamed expressed gratitude to King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan government, and Rabat City Council for their support and contribution to the project's completion. He praised the strong partnership between the two cities, which enables experience sharing and cooperation. The mayor's comments reflected the city's appreciation for the collaborative efforts.

Moroccan Ambassador to Djibouti Mohamed Medghari stated that the new expansion embodies the depth of brotherly relations and friendship between Morocco and Djibouti. He expressed hope for future initiatives and projects that would expand cooperation areas and experience sharing in local development. The ambassador's remarks highlighted the prospects for further collaboration.

The expanded headquarters is expected to improve municipal services, upgrade citizen reception, and enhance local administration capacity. The project demonstrates the translation of partnership agreements into tangible initiatives supporting local development and improving services for residents. The inauguration marks a new milestone in Djibouti-Morocco decentralised cooperation.

The inauguration of the expanded Balbala municipality headquarters reflects the strong ties between Djibouti and Morocco. The project showcases the potential for cooperation and experience sharing in local governance and development. The expansion is set to have a positive impact on the local community, enhancing public services and municipal capacities.

Key points

• The project was made possible through decentralised cooperation between Djibouti and Rabat.
• The new expansion aims to improve working conditions for municipal services and enhance citizen reception.
• The project demonstrates the translation of partnership agreements into tangible initiatives supporting local development.