Djibouti

January 2017: Meeting in GVA with Vero and Gisela. Diplomat extremely well briefed, and interested. Asked specifically about the universalisation process and endorsement process. Shared with us that Djibouti’s vision is to promote peace in the region, and that they are active in EGAD, and undertaking mediation in Somalia and South Sudan. He seemed positive about the fact that they have a new president who is dynamic. Interesting was the discussion about France, considering that the largest French military base in Africa is located in Djibouti’s territorial waters. He volunteered to say that with France, the sticking point, (which might take a long time according to his views) is the question of investigations of alleged crimes. He, himself flagged the allegations against Sangaris in CAR. He understood obviously that not joining the SSD is not a way to prevent external investigations from happening, to the contrary.

August 2017: Vero met with the expert in the Mission of Djibouti in Geneva. He is supportive and he recommended issuing letters to the MFA and MOE. If we issue the letters to him, he will send them by diplomatic bag to the relavant people. He recommended forwarding the letters to the MOE representatives who attended the Buenos Aires conference. The representative of the Mission in Geneva is very committed and supportive. He also noted that the AU is supportive of the process. He highlighted that next month in Djibouti there would be a meeting on Refugee Education co-hosted by Djibouti and UNHCR (regional, including EGAD countries). Vero suggested that this occasion could be an opportunity for the country to announce their endorsement.

August 2017: Asked for a follow-up meeting for Vero. The expert was really enthusiastic, but not in Geneva at the time. We sent letters for the Ministers of Education and Foreign Affairs instead.

June 2018: Gisela met with H.E. Mr. Mohamed Siad Doualeh, Permanent Representative. After listening to the pitch, he presented a copy of Djibouti’s endorsement letter and asked to take a photograph for social media. He was particularly interested in implementation by Somalia and expressed Djibouti’s desire to have leadership on this issue in their region. Djibouti will run of UN Security Council membership, contesting the elections in 2019. Gisela followed up in writing to remind Djibouti to send the endorsement letter to Norway. Djibouti announced their endorsement at the open debate.

July 2018: Djibouti announced endorsement during the UNSC Open Debate CAAC. Co-sponsored resolution 2427 (2018).Mentioned and welcomed the Safe Schools Declaration during the statement to the SC.

March 2019: Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the SRSG CAAC Virginia Gamba, HRC Geneva: joined Norway’s joint statement on the Safe Schools Declaration.

October 2021: cosponsored UNSRC2601.