By Abukar Osman - Reporter
Djibouti, 21 January 2026 The Government of Djibouti on Tuesday approved a new law that significantly reforms the way civil servants are recruited and promoted.
Djibouti stated that the step is part of a broader plan to modernize public administration and end the inconsistent methods previously used to employ job seekers.
This draft law, which the Ministry of Labor presented to the Council of Ministers, establishes a formal legal framework for selection criteria and competitive examinations. The goal is to replace old methods—described as "fragmented" and insufficiently organized—with a system built on an individual’s skills, experience, and competence.
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"It is about strengthening the efficiency of administrative work by setting clear and transparent rules," said the Minister of Labor, Omar Abdi Said, speaking to state media.
Djibouti, a strategic hub home to several foreign military bases, has faced pressure from international institutions to improve its governance and financial management. This law is seen as a vital step toward reforming the public sector to meet "modern performance standards."
The reform also aligns with recent efforts to professionalize the workforce, following recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to shift toward technical training based on the productivity of government employees.