The mayor of Djibouti-ville, Saïd Daoud Mohamed, on Thursday, October 29, 2026, inaugurated the extension of the Balbala communal headquarters. This project is a result of a decentralized cooperation partnership between Djibouti and Rabat, Morocco's capital. The event was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the president of the Balbala commune, Mohamed Hassan Saïd, and the chargé d'affaires of the Moroccan embassy in Djibouti, Mohamed Mdarhi.
The project was initiated following a memorandum of understanding and a friendship and cooperation agreement signed between Djibouti and Rabat during the 21st annual AIEIA conference. The agreement included a pilot project for Balbala, focusing on the extension, beautification, and development of public spaces. The project's first stone was laid in 2024 in the presence of Rabat's mayor, Fatiha Moudni.
The newly inaugurated extension aims to improve working conditions for employees and elected officials, enhance user services, and provide a more suitable environment for neighborhood councils and associations. The mayor of Djibouti-ville expressed his gratitude to King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan government, and Rabat's municipal authorities for their support.
During the inauguration ceremony, several officials praised the cooperation between Djibouti and Morocco. The chargé d'affaires of the Moroccan embassy, Mohamed Mdarhi, highlighted the strong relations between the two countries and expressed hope for increased cooperation. Djibouti's Minister of Economy and Finance, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, linked the project to President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh's decentralization policy.
Minister Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh emphasized that cooperation should serve local development and the population. The project is seen as a significant step towards achieving these goals. The extension of the Balbala communal headquarters is expected to have a positive impact on the local community.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by a range of officials, including ministers, deputies, local elected officials, and representatives from neighborhood councils and associations. The event marked a significant milestone in the cooperation between Djibouti and Morocco.
The mayor of Djibouti-ville invited the local inhabitants to preserve the new communal headquarters as a collective heritage. The project is a testament to the progress made in territorial governance, as noted by the mayor, as Djibouti approaches the 20th anniversary of local democracy.
Key points
- The extension project was made possible through a partnership with Rabat, Morocco's capital.
- The project aims to improve working conditions and services for the local community.
- The inauguration marks a significant milestone in Djibouti-Morocco cooperation.
