February 11, 2026 (Djibouti, Djibouti): The Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Djibouti, in partnership with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the National Office for Assistance to Refugees and Disaster Victims (ONARS), officially kicked off a national capacity-building workshop for legislators, policymakers and representatives of ministries, departments and agencies in Djibouti.
The workshop aims to strengthen legislative and institutional responses to the growing challenges and impacts of forced displacement in Djibouti as the country hosts approximately 32,000 refugees and asylum seekers. This number represents more than 3% of the country’s population, reaffirming Djibouti’s commitment to solidarity and hospitality.
In his opening remarks, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior, Mr. Souleiman Moumin Robleh, emphasized that “the Horn of Africa continues to be deeply affected by conflicts, the impacts of climate change, and food insecurity, resulting in large-scale population movements and placing considerable pressure on hosting communities and states.”
The IGAD Policy Framework on Refugee Protection, endorsed by IGAD member states in 2023, represents a major milestone in supporting regional approaches to refugee protection. This policy encourages member states to proactively take up the recommendations and apply them to the national context. Its effectiveness therefore depends on its translation into strong national legislation and programming.
A key objective of the capacity building initiative is to equip parliamentarians and policymakers with the necessary knowledge and tools to support national legislative actions aligning them with regional and international standards, while ensuring robust oversight of their application. The workshop also aims to strengthen dialogue and coordination between legislative and executive branches, as well as with civil society and humanitarian organizations, to foster more effective and inclusive collaboration. It equips parliamentarians with the knowledge and skills needed to become champions of legislative and policy reforms aligned with regional and international commitments on forced displacement.
The opening ceremony also featured remarks by Mr. Josephat Onyari, Director of Finance and Administration at IGAD, representing the Director of Health and Social Development, Ambassador Moussa Ali Meigague. Director Onyari highlighted the critical role of legislators and policymakers in establishing robust legal frameworks capable of addressing the root causes of forced displacement, protecting refugees and other affected populations, and promoting sustainable durable solutions.
The Executive Secretary of ONARS, Mr. Mohamed Ali Kamil, recalled the central role of the institution, established in 1978, and highlighted the importance of its legal and institutional reform to enhance operational effectiveness and coordination with national and international partners.
At the conclusion of the session, participants are expected to fully assume their roles and responsibilities in protecting the rights of displaced persons, deepen their understanding of international, continental, and regional legal instruments, and enhance their capacity to review and reform national legislation and policies.
The project is supported by funds from the Government of Sweden through through the Protection and Solutions for Displaced Persons Project (PSDP).
