This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 000074 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
STATE FOR AF AND AF/E 
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS DJ
SUBJECT: PREPARING FOR REGIONAL ELECTIONS 
 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY:  On March 10th, 2006, Djibouti will 
take steps toward a new electoral structure when 
elections are held to create regional governing 
councils, part of the decentralization process of 
the Government of Djibouti (GoD).  These elections 
have been postponed for more than two years but all 
signs indicate that this time they will take place 
as planned.  END SUMMARY. 
 
HISTORY and PROCESS 
------------------- 
¶2. (U) On December 29th, 2005 President Ismal Omar 
Guelleh signed a decree fixing regional and local 
community elections for March 10th, 2006.  Five of 
Djibouti's six districts - Arta, Ali Sabieh, 
Dikhil, Obock, Tadjourah - will elect regional 
governing councils.  Three community councils will 
be created for Djibouti City, the sixth district 
and capital city.  The number of seats assigned to 
each district is proportionate to its number of 
registered voters. The number of registered voters 
determines the number of seats in regional and 
community councils. One seat is given for every 
1,000 registered voters in a community.  Voters in 
each district will choose among closed party 
slates, with each slate including as many 
candidates as contested seats. 
 
¶3. (U) A two-round system has been adopted for the 
upcoming elections.  According to Article 27 of the 
law of decentralization, a party winning an 
absolute majority of votes in the first round wins 
all the seats in that district.  If they win less 
than an absolute majority, the winning party only 
gets half of the contested seats.  The remaining 
seats are then distributed proportionally, among 
competing parties that have won at least 5% of 
votes cast. 
 
¶4. (U) Article 27 also stipulates that an 
independent regional election commission (CERI) be 
set up for each region.  The Commission is 
responsible for the following:  a) ensure that 
electoral lists are valid and, b) ensure that 
polling station staffing, voting and counting 
operations are well run, to protect the rights of 
voters and candidates. 
 
¶5. (U) Six weeks before the elections, CERI members 
will be nominated.  Candidates for the regional 
councils are required to submit their names no 
later than February 4th. 
 
VIEW OF THE OPPOSITION COALITION 
-------------------------------- 
¶6. (U) The opposition coalition, made up of three 
different parties, boycotted the 2005 presidential 
election in the hope of invalidating Guelleh's 
reelection.  They have decided to boycott the 
upcoming local elections as well.  Lacking 
resources, political experience and meaningful 
dialogue with the governing coalition, the 
opposition parties have grown more and more 
cynical.  Not only have they decried the unilateral 
actions of the government, they have also expressed 
unwillingness to negotiate with the government 
coalition.  During Post's discussions with the 
leaders of opposition parties, interest was voiced 
in meeting with the governing coalition to discuss 
how to move forward.  However, these leaders 
expressed concern that such a meeting might simply 
be used as a media event to gloss over substantive 
differences. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
¶7. (U) During talks with the political parties, 
Post discerned that both coalitions were non- 
communicative, and found no common grounds for 
their grievances.  Had there been a sustained 
willingness to talk, an opportunity may have 
existed to create minimum conditions for an engaged 
opposition and to set the stage for competitive 
elections.  This introduction of a mixed electoral 
system is no doubt a progressive political 
development in Djibouti. It is carefully designed 
to limit the negative effects of a purely 
majoritarian system. If successful, it could help 
install competitive elections permanently in 
Djibouti, enhance the legitimacy of elected 
institutions, and build public confidence in 
democratic processes. END COMMENT. 
 
RAGSDALE