US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI380

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000380 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, ECON, ELAB, ELTN, ENRG, EPET, ASEC, DJ 
SUBJECT: BUSES STRIKE IN PROTEST OF FUEL COSTS 
 
Classified By: Pol/Econ Officer Erinn Reed for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
1. (U) On Saturday, March 13, the Buses' Union 
members went on strike, causing a total disruption 
of the bus transportation in the capital city of 
Djibouti.  The overwheming majority of the 
inhabitants in the capital rely on bus 
transportation, primarily in the form of 11 or 21 
passenger minivans.  The strike was made to protest 
the increase of diesel fuel, which has gone from 
DJF 71 to DJF 100 (approximately 40 cents to 56 
cents) per liter within the last four years.  The 
bus drivers are blaming the government for the 
high cost of fuel because of the close to 100 
percent tax levied on diesel fuel.  An additional 
reason that contributed to the strike is the 
recent decision by the mayor of Djibouti City 
to deviate the bus route from the road passing in 
front of the high school, which was convenient for 
both buses and students. 
 
2. (U) Students, who also rely almost wholly on 
buses, joined the strike because they missed their 
classes.  Some students threw stones at private 
car owners who refused to give them rides.  Others 
blocked roads by burning tires and other materials. 
The police responded with tear gas and 
confrontations with the students.  The Government 
did not make offical reports of injuries, but there 
were light injuries on both sides.  The mayor of 
Djibouti City strongly condemned the strike, 
indicating that the Buses' Union did not inform the 
Ministry of Interior in advance, as required by law 
for protests.  The buses returned to work the next 
day, Sunday, March 14th, while still in 
negotiations with the Government. 
 
3. (C) In discussing the strike with Captain 
Abdoullahi Youssouf of the Djiboutian army, 
Emboff asked why there were still a few 
buses running and if those individuals would be 
alienated by the striking drivers.  Youssouf 
responded that they were already a part of a 
separate faction and in fact probably had more 
to do with the strike than the increase in 
diesel fuel.  He went on to explain that 
certain high ranking members of the Djiboutian 
security apparatus, specifically the police 
force, owned a number of the buses used in the 
route taxi business.  These taxis, he explained, 
were exempt from the constant harrassment many 
bus drivers faced from the police for payment 
of registration or license or whatever other 
fine of the day was in vogue.  He continued on 
that these "protected" taxis were also usually 
uninsured and protected from any liability. 
These issues, in conjunction with the raise 
in diesel prices, had driven other drivers to 
the streets. 
 
5. (U) COMMENT: Buses charge DJF 40 (23 cents) 
for one trip.  The government fixes this rate 
because buses are the only means of 
transportation for most of the inhabitants of 
Djibouti City.  In addition, many people would 
not be able to afford bus transportation if 
the rate was increased and would protest. 
While the general bus strike only lasted one 
day and the uprising of students was quickly 
dispersed, the situation made government 
authorities nervous.  The situation could have 
quickly degenerated into further unrest.  If 
the price of diesel continues to climb, the 
Government will need to find a lasting solution 
or face incidents of protest.  The strikes are 
another example of the frustrations that 
accompany increased competition, rising fuel 
prices, and inconsistent regulation in Djibouti. 
END COMMENT. 
RAGSDALE