Djibouti: Leadership
Chapter 4: Red Sea, Horn of Africa
Djibouti: Leadership
Government
/ Political Parties / Opposition Groups
Overview
/ System Essentials / Infrastructure
/ Population / Fielded Forces
/ Table of Contents
Violence in Djibouti has intensified as opposition groups become more active
The executive branch of the Djibouti Government consists of the president (elected by popular vote for a six year term) and a Council of Members headed by a Prime Minister.
The current president of Djibouti is Hassan Gouled Aptidon.
The Chamber of Deputies is Djibouti's legislative body and consists of 65 members who are elected to five year terms.
The ruling political party in Djibouti is the People's Progress Assembly (RPP). President Gouled is the leader of the RPP party and the RPP holds all seats in the Chamber of Deputies. The only other sizable political parties are the Democratic Renewal Party (PRD) and the Democratic National Party (PND); the PND candidate in the 1993 presidential election garnered only 22% of the vote.
The Front for the Restoration and Renewal of Democracy (FRUD) and the Movement for Unity and Democracy (MUD) are the major opposition groups active in the country. FRUD forces initiated an insurrection against the government in 1991 and violence continued through 1994. The government intensified negotiations with the FRUD in late 1993 and splinter groups have subsequently sought official political registration with the government.