Travel Safety in Djibouti

The security risks in Djibouti vary according to the travel area and the profile of the traveller. In the capital, Djibouti city, the main concerns are terrorism, crime and civil unrest.

The Somalia-based militant group, al-Shabaab, poses an ongoing terrorist threat due to Djibouti’s involvement in counterinsurgency against the group in neighbouring Somalia. Al-Shabaab has undertaken terrorist attacks in Djibouti city in which foreign nationals have been killed and wounded.

Petty crime, which occurs commonly, is more of a concern in Djibouti city than violent acts of criminality.

Demonstrations are not common, but when they occur (most often during election periods) they are usually forcibly suppressed by security forces.

Outside of the capital, the security threats facing travellers to Djibouti increases. Banditry remains a concern in all rural areas of the country. A border dispute also increases the risk of conflict in areas near the Eritrean border. In southern Djibouti, there is an elevated kidnapping risk posed by armed groups crossing over from the porous Djibouti-Somali border.

Medical facilities are poor in the country and generally non-existent outside the capital.