Launch of DI Djibouti Project Makes Headlines
The launch of Democracy International’s new Djibouti Elections and Political Processes project was covered on the front page of La Nation, Djibouti’s largest daily newspaper. The article reports that the project, launched jointly by the U.S. and Djiboutian governments, is ”like no other” and “a first in Djibouti”.
Read the full English translation after the break.
Pictures from La Nation article.
In The Name of Good Governance
Djibouti Elections and Political Process is the name of a comprehensive project devoted to the promotion of democracy and good governance in Djibouti jointly launched yesterday at the American Chancellery by the Republic of Djibouti and the American government.
Yesterday at the US Embassy, the Director of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet, Mr. Rachid Hassan, and the US Ambassador to Djibouti, James C. Swan jointly launched a project like no other. Funded by USAID, the “Djibouti Elections and Political Process” is a first in Djibouti. With a budget of $2.2 million, the Djibouti Elections and Political Process is a bold, comprehensive program that aims to strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission’s management of the electoral process, improve voter education and participation, enhance political dialogue, and provide international election observation.
The Djibouti Elections and Political Process stems from the objectives included in the September 26, 2009, bilateral assistance agreement between the United States and Djibouti, which aims to promote democracy and good governance. The agreement and the project are the result of the continuous and fruitful cooperation between the two governments and seek to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the Djiboutian and American people.
Democracy International, USAID’s implementing partner, is an American organization that promotes democracy and good governance worldwide; it will collaborate with the Djiboutian government and nongovernmental organizations, including the Djiboutian media, to manage the project locally.
In a speech on the launch of the project, the Director of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet, Mr. Rachid Hassan, highlighted the crucial importance of this project which aims to “strengthen confidence in the electoral system of Djibouti.” While thanking the U.S. government for the project, Mr. Saban reiterated the Djiboutian government’s commitment to the program and hoped that “the project would achieve its stated objectives and boost [the] country’s image in the field of the rule of law and good governance.”
The U.S. Ambassador noted that the promotion of democracy is central to the National Security Strategy of President Obama and “in Djibouti … three areas guide [U.S.] commitments: peace and security, democracy and governance, and economic development.”
Attending the launching ceremony were the Mayor of Djibouti, Mr. Ismail Ali Yabeh; USAID representative in Djibouti, Stephanie Funk; and representatives of the Presidency, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Interior, political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and regional councils.
To read the original language version of the article, click here.
Pictures from La Nation article.
