Djibouti 2019 Crime & Safety Report

This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, Djibouti.

According to The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Djibouti at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The U.S. Embassy in Djibouti does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The ACS Unit cannot recommend a particular individual or location and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided.

Review OSAC’s Djibouti-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Crime Threats

There is moderate risk from crime in Djibouti. Most reported incidents are crimes of opportunity (e.g. pickpocketing, petty theft) for immediate gain. Panhandlers and street children target foreigners for petty theft by creating distractions. Unreported crimes also commonly occur within the local community. Exercised caution in congested areas such as the central market, city center, and downtown neighborhoods (known locally as quartiers), especially after dark. Avoid isolated areas, particularly along the urban coastline.

The large number of illegal immigrants/refugees and unemployed Djiboutians loitering downtown and in other areas expatriates frequent may allow criminals to roam undetected. People in congested areas (e.g. port, market areas, and city center) are at greatest risk for street crime.

Do not give money to people who wash your cars without permission, or who watch your car while parked. U.S. citizens are generally the only people who give money, and this leads to targeting. Do not give money to peddlers and street children, as this can easily lead to swarming by additional individuals who can become aggressive.

Criminals have shown a willingness to break into vehicles to gain access to high value items.

There have been attempted burglaries against expatriate residences in proximity to embassy housing in recent years. Crime levels remain unchanged, with one reported incident of an attempted break-in at a U.S. Embassy residential compound. Generally, perpetrators lack the sophistication to overcome robust residential security measures (e.g. substantial doors, grilles, static guards). Crimes have occurred at residences where windows and doors were not locked.

The abuse of khat may exacerbate criminal activity. Khat is a legal, socially acceptable drug that tends to increase aggression among users during the first 30-40 minutes after consumption.

1 Several scams have been reported to the Embassy in recent years:

 One scam involves locals approaching U.S. travelers and falsely claiming to work for the U.S. military or as local employees of the U.S. Embassy. They claim to have car problems and ask either to be driven somewhere or to borrow money. Such individuals are most likely not associated with the U.S. military or the U.S. Embassy, but use the association to exploit unsuspecting travelers.

 Another scam involves someone who waits behind your vehicle as you back out of a parking space and purposely runs into or drives his bicycle/motorcycle into the back of your vehicle. The impact and noise frightens most people. Upon seeing someone lying on the ground and writhing in pain, most assume that this person was in their blind spot and that they have hit and hurt them. Most of these scammers will ask for money for medical bills, etc. This is a scam; get the local police involved immediately and explain to them that you believe it to be a scam.

Other Areas of Concern

An unsolved border dispute with Eritrea has led to restrictions on travel to many areas in the north. In many instances, you must obtain government approval to travel north of Obock.

Transportation-Safety Situation

For more information, review OSAC’s report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Road Safety and Road Conditions

Driving conditions are hazardous throughout Djibouti. Road surfaces outside the capital are greatly improved from previous years, but roads are still precarious in many parts of the country. The government, with assistance from the EU, has constructed a paved road linking Tadjoura and Obock, significantly increasing the level of safety and ease of travel on the northern coast. The primary truck route from Djibouti to Galafi (the main border crossing into Ethiopia) is also recently paved. This highway has reduced travel time between the two cities, and has significantly improved driving conditions. However, the improved road resulted in increased speeds and higher likelihood of serious accidents. Roads outside Djibouti City lack proper lighting. Only travel during daylight hours. Very few areas in the country feature roadside assistance.

Hazards include poorly constructed roads, lack of safety rails, poor vehicle conditions, and wayward pedestrians/animals. Be aware of unsafe road surfaces, unskilled drivers, and the presence of non-roadworthy vehicles on all roads. Obey posted speed limits (where present) and drive defensively. Many drivers consume khat, which can lead to erratic, unpredictable, and unsafe driving behavior; remain especially alert when driving in the afternoon (1500–1700). Drivers frequently change lanes into oncoming traffic without looking, and expect oncoming vehicles to get out of their way, even though they are in violation of standard traffic rules. Pedestrians do not look when crossing the road and frequently walk out into traffic. Animals (e.g. goats, camels, stray dogs) often wander into traffic. Nomads in rural areas sometimes place rocks on the roads to stop vehicles and demand water/transportation, providing an opportunity for theft of high-value items from stopped vehicles.

2 Vehicle collisions remain the number one safety concern. Those involved in traffic accidents should attempt to exchange insurance information with the other party and summon police assistance if possible. Avoid making restitution at the scene, especially if livestock or pedestrians are involved. Be wary of crowds gathering at the scene of an accident, and depart immediately if you perceive a threat to safety.

The number of serious vehicle accidents has steadily grown over the past five years, as the overall number of vehicles, to include truck traffic along the Djibouti-Ethiopia corridor, has increased. These trucks vary in condition from well-maintained to poorly-maintained and poorly operated. Truck drivers will attempt to pass slow-moving trucks on inclines with limited visibility, greatly increasing the likelihood of head-on collisions.

For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s reports, Driving Overseas: Best Practices or Road Safety in Africa.

Public Transportation Conditions

Public transportation is unreliable and unsafe due to risky driving practices and crimes of opportunity. Hotel and airport shuttle services are safer alternatives.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

There have been several incidents involving flights from Somalia. Do not leave Djibouti on flights that originate in Somalia.

Terrorism Threat

Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns

There is moderate risk from terrorism in Djibouti. Djibouti lies at the crossroads between the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, and hosts a substantial population of refugees. Djibouti's proximity to a number of conflict-torn states, and the government's limited capacity to monitor border controls raises concerns over illegal immigration and the possibility of cross-border terrorism.

U.S. citizens in Djibouti should evaluate their personal security situation in light of specific threats from terrorism. The U.S. government continues to receive information about potential terrorist threats aimed at Western (including U.S.) and Djiboutian interests. Terrorist acts can include: suicide operations, bombings (to include car bombings), kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in/near Djiboutian ports. Attacks may target official government facilities, embassies, and military installations, and soft targets. While Djiboutian officials continue to pursue those responsible for previous terrorist attacks, many of those involved remain at large and operate in the region. Review personal crisis response plans, remain vigilant, and exercise caution in areas frequented by Westerners.

3 Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

Civil Unrest

There is minimal risk of civil unrest in Djibouti. Protests and clashes with Djiboutian security forces have increased in areas outside Djibouti City. A presidential security decree implemented after the Paris terrorist attacks in 2015 prohibits mass public gatherings.

Large-scale, planned demonstrations are rare, except during presidential election periods. Both the Djiboutian National Police and the Gendarmerie have effective riot control squads and take proactive steps to stage personnel in areas of potential unrest. Demonstrations have been mostly peaceful; however, participants have blocked roads with rocks and burning tires and engaged in indiscriminate rock throwing. Avoid political gatherings and large crowds.

Religious/Ethnic Violence

Approximately 60% of Djiboutians are ethnic-Somali. The remainder is ethnic-Afar, with the exception of a small minority of Yemeni origin. Relations between Somali and Afar ethnic groups remain a sensitive issue.

Since the 2001 peace accord, many former rebels have been integrated into the National Police and Defense Forces; however, rebel groups remain and have carried out attacks against government entities, mostly in remote locations.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

Djibouti is in Seismic Zone 4, indicating a very high likelihood of damage resulting from earthquakes. Although hot conditions prevail year-round, brief periods of moderate to heavy rains can cause severe flooding of roads and homes due to poor infrastructure. High tides exacerbate flooding. In recent years, flooding has led to several fatalities across Djibouti, especially when unpredicted rain leads to flash flooding in the city.

Critical Infrastructure

Power outages and spikes are common, and especially affect lower-income populations.

Personal Identity Concerns

Djibouti is a tolerant Islamic country. Dress conservatively and observe local customs to the extent possible.

Djibouti lacks public and reasonable accommodations (e.g. ramps, handicap restrooms) for people with disabilities.

Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Djibouti. There are no reports of violence or discrimination based on sexual orientation, but societal norms do not allow for the public discussion of homosexuality, and there is little open acknowledgement of homosexual orientation.

4 Drug-related Crimes

A significant percentage of Djiboutian males, to include security and law enforcement officers, are under the influence of khat (a plant that is typically chewed) on a daily basis. The distribution of khat occurs in the afternoon hours, with sales kiosks set up across the city. The drug's effects may escalate what would otherwise be a casual interaction into confrontation.

Police Response

Police response is slow to non-existent.

How to Handle Incidents of Police Detention or Harassment

Notify the Consular American Citizen Services office at +253 21-453-000 (after-hours: +253 77- 877-229) at the U.S. Embassy if you are detained/harassed.

Crime Victim Assistance

Notify the Consular American Citizen Services office at the U.S. Embassy if you are the victim of a crime.

Medical Emergencies

The emergency response system is below Western standards. Embassy personnel have witnessed that response time for accidents outside the capital city is usually several hours. Ambulances are under-equipped and suffer from lack of maintenance. The training of ambulance staff is poor.

Local medical facilities do not generally offer the standard of care available in more developed countries, although there are a few doctors who cater to the expatriate community.

Contact Information for Available Medical Services

For medical assistance, refer to the Embassy’s Medical Assistance page.

Insurance Guidance

Strongly consider medical evacuation (medevac) insurance, as out-of-pocket medevac costs could run into the tens of thousands of dollars, and are not covered by U.S. health insurance policies. For more information, refer to OSAC’s report, Medical Evacuation: A Primer.

5 Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance

The HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is 2.9% nationally, but is 17% among female sex workers.

Djibouti has the second highest tuberculosis infection rate in the world, with a high rate of MDR (multi-drug resistance) infection.

The risk of the reintroduction of wild poliovirus is high, as are infections that are routinely immunized (measles) in other countries, due to poor immunization coverage.

Falciparum-type malaria (chloroquine-resistant) is present; the State Department recommends anti-malarial prophylaxis for U.S. government personnel in Djibouti.

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Djibouti.

OSAC Country Council Information

There is no Country Council in Djibouti. Interested private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Africa team with any questions.

U.S. Embassy Location and Contact Information

Embassy Address and Hours of Operation

The Embassy is located in the Haramous neighborhood of Djibouti at Lot 350B.

Business hours are 0800-1630, Sunday-Thursday

Embassy Contact Numbers

Telephone: (253) 21-45-3000. Emergency Duty Officer: 77877229. Website: http://dj.usembassy.gov

Embassy Guidance

U.S. citizens are encouraged to register on STEP by either appearing in person at the Consular section or registering online.

Additional Resources

Djibouti Country Information Sheet

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