Djibouti

Djibouti's strategic location as a military and maritime hub is reinforced by the re-election of Ismail Omar Guelleh, ensuring continued stability and foreign investment in its port infrastructure. However, the country faces challenges with high youth unemployment and substantial debt, particularly to China.

Djibouti, through its President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, is actively involved in the South Sudan peace process as the chair of IGAD, reaffirming its commitment to regional stability.

Djibouti currently handles the bulk of Ethiopia's trade, benefiting from high port fees. Any shift in Ethiopia's sea access strategy could impact Djibouti's economic reliance on these fees.

Djibouti is one of the regional actors in the Horn of Africa that has grown uneasy with the United Arab Emirates' 'muscular' foreign policy.

OHCHR staff helped Djibouti conduct a human rights analysis of its health budget, focusing on people with disabilities, as an example of their work with governments.