DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti — (HornPost)— Djibouti President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh chaired the eighth session of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, where the government reviewed and approved a series of legislative, financial, administrative and development measures.
At the start of the meeting, Guelleh paid tribute to Hassan Omar Bourhan, a former defense minister who died on July 17, 2026. Government ministers observed a Fatiha prayer in his memory.
Djibouti to Extend Biometric Passport Validity to 10 Years
One of the key measures discussed was a proposal to extend the validity of Djibouti’s ordinary biometric passport from five years to 10 years.
The Interior Ministry said the proposed change is intended to reduce frequent renewals, administrative procedures and recurring costs for citizens while modernizing public services.
The biometric passport was introduced under a 2017 decree and is used as a secure travel document and for international mobility and border controls.
New Public-Sector Working Hours From September
The president also signed a circular changing working hours for public administrations and state institutions.
Beginning Sept. 1, 2026, official working hours will run from Sunday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Government Reviews 2025 Budget Accounts
The Council of Ministers reviewed the final accounts for Djibouti’s 2025 national budget.
Government revenues were recorded at 158.07 billion Djibouti francs, while expenditures were listed at 166.42 billion Djibouti francs.
Executed spending reached 159.41 billion Djibouti francs, exceeding the revised budget allocations by about 18.37 billion francs, mainly because of domestically financed investment, personnel costs and material expenditures.
ANPH Records 95.5 Million Francs Deficit
The government also reviewed the 2025 financial accounts of the National Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ANPH).
The agency recorded revenues of 610.12 million Djibouti francs against expenses of 705.59 million francs, resulting in a deficit of approximately 95.46 million francs.
Public subsidies accounted for nearly 78% of the agency’s operating revenues, according to the government statement.
The ANPH employed 139 people during the year, including 12 civil servants and 127 contracted employees.
Airport and Airspace Fees to Be Revised
The Infrastructure and Equipment Ministry presented proposals to revise aviation and passenger charges.
The proposed measures include updating air navigation charges, revising aviation fees and introducing a 2,000 Djibouti franc passenger fee dedicated to infrastructure development.
The government said the changes are intended to strengthen airport revenues needed to modernize facilities and maintain sustainable services.
A separate proposal would introduce a new system for en-route air navigation charges, based on two aircraft categories determined by maximum takeoff weight.
New Dialysis Centers Planned in Tadjourah and Dikhil
The Cabinet also approved proposals involving land allocations for the Saad Omar Guelleh Foundation to support health infrastructure.
In Tadjourah, two parcels of state-owned land would be allocated for projects including a dialysis center serving patients with chronic kidney disease.
Another 14,522-square-meter parcel in Dikhil would also be allocated to the foundation for a dialysis center.
The government said the projects are intended to improve access to specialized healthcare, reduce the need for patients to travel to the capital and strengthen regional health services.
CNSS Reports 4.14 Billion Franc Surplus
The Council also reviewed the 2024 financial accounts of Djibouti’s National Social Security Fund (CNSS).
The CNSS recorded revenues of 32.94 billion Djibouti francs and expenses of 28.79 billion francs, resulting in a surplus of 4.14 billion francs.
The surplus increased by 15.55% compared with 2023, when the fund recorded a surplus of approximately 3.59 billion francs.
The CNSS’s total assets reached 114.98 billion Djibouti francs, an increase of more than 10% from the previous year.
Health and Cooperation With Türkiye
The Health Ministry briefed the Cabinet on Djibouti’s participation in the African Union Extraordinary Health Summit held in Accra on July 21-22.
Djibouti’s delegation, led by Health Minister Mouna Osman Aden, focused on sustainable health financing, universal health coverage and strengthening health systems.
The summit resulted in the adoption of the Accra Declaration, which calls for reducing dependence on external aid, strengthening African production of health products and improving primary healthcare.
The Cabinet was also briefed on a July mission to Türkiye by Djibouti’s minister responsible for Muslim affairs and waqf properties.
The talks focused on religious and institutional cooperation, including waqf management, training, preservation of religious heritage and the promotion of peace and moderation.
The Djiboutian delegation also discussed the Sultan Abdulhamid II Grand Mosque in Djibouti, including proposals for a dedicated waqf, restoration, maintenance and cultural preservation.
Economic and Infrastructure Development
The Cabinet approved a proposal to allocate an 18,588-square-meter plot in Nagad to the DELTA establishment at a price of 1,000 Djibouti francs per square meter.
The land is intended for a retail outlet and logistics complex for the distribution of construction materials.
The government said the project would expand storage and distribution capacity and support commercial activity in the Nagad area.
The eighth Cabinet meeting reflects the government’s focus on public-sector reform, infrastructure investment, healthcare expansion, aviation modernization, social protection and economic development.
Prepared by:
HornPost Staff
