US embassy cable - 05DJIBOUTI1203

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001203 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF, AF/E, AND DRL; 
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER; 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KDEM, PGOV, PREL, PHUM, DJ 
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTIAN PARLIAMENT REQUESTS 
POSTPONEMENT OF REGIONAL ELECTIONS 
 
REF: DJIBOUTI 1158 
 
1. (U) The Djiboutian Information Agency 
(ADI) published a press release 30 
November reporting the passing of a 
resolution by the Djiboutian National 
Assembly to postpone upcoming regional 
elections, scheduled for 30 December. The 
proposed resolution stated first that the 
resolution provided proof the Government 
was dedicated to organizing regional 
elections as quickly as possible and in 
doing so, establish democracy in the 
interior districts of the country. It also 
noted the Government's desire to involve 
its citizens in the management of public 
affairs to ensure maximum transparency. 
 
2. (U) The resolution indicated 
parliamentary concern that the 
registration period for persons to submit 
their candidacy and the time allowed to 
make the population aware of the election 
was extremely short. In addition, some 
members expressed concern about the need 
to harmonize the two decentralization 
laws, regarding the structure of regional 
governing bodies in the interior districts 
and the special status of the City of 
Djibouti, prior to regional elections. The 
resolution requested that President Ismail 
Omar Guelleh postpone community and 
regional elections until, at the latest, 
the end of February. The National Assembly 
vote approved this resolution and it has 
been sent to the President of the Republic 
for consideration. 
 
3. (SBU) Comment: The resolution shows 
that members of the National Assembly 
appear to have taken into consideration 
proposals a USAID-sponsored team of 
International Federation of Electoral 
Systems (IFES) decentralization experts 
submitted to the Speaker of the 
Parliament. The importance of voter 
education and awareness was at the 
forefront of these proposals. End Comment.