DJIBOUTIAN PARLIAMENT REQUESTS

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.