By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
DJIBOUTI, July 16 2026 – Djibouti's Defence Minister Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan has died, the government announced on Thursday. Prime Minister Abdoulkader Mohamed Kamil hailed his service and extended condolences to his family and the armed forces.
The government did not disclose the cause of death.
In a statement, Kamil described Bourhan as a devoted public servant, trusted colleague and loyal companion, saying his death had left "an immense void" within the government and the armed forces.
He offered condolences to Bourhan's family, relatives, military personnel and the people of Djibouti.
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Bourhan had served as Djibouti's defence minister since May 2019 and retained the portfolio following a cabinet reshuffle in May 2026.
During his tenure, he oversaw Djibouti's armed forces while helping strengthen defence cooperation with regional and international partners. He represented the country in regional security initiatives and held meetings with foreign defence officials, including then-U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in 2023, to discuss security cooperation in the Horn of Africa.
Djibouti occupies a strategic location at the entrance to the Red Sea and hosts military bases operated by several foreign countries, including the United States, France, China, Japan and Italy, making the defence ministry a key institution in the country's security and foreign policy.