Date of publication:
08/21/2025
Djibouti
Are identity documents issued to forcibly displaced and stateless persons effectively recognized in the private sector (eg. financial services, insurance services, telecoms, mobile money, private employers)?
Assessment by population
Analysis
Identity documents issued by the state to refugees and asylum seekers in Djibouti are legally recognized and valid for accessing services in the private sector, such as financial services, insurance, telecommunications, mobile money, and private employment.
Decree No. 2017-410/PR/MI establishes the legal value of these identity documents. Article 3 stipulates that the refugee card serves as both a residence permit and work permit, valid for five years and renewable, while the attestation delivered by ONARS to registered asylum seekers constitutes a temporary residence and work authorization, valid for six months and renewable. These provisions indicate that the refugee card and asylum seeker attestation are legally recognized identity documents enabling access to employment opportunities in the private sector.
Furthermore, Law No. 39/AN/19/8th L reinforces the legal recognition of these documents. Article 12 designates the national identification registry as the sole reference for issuing civil status and national identification documents, and Article 5 extends the national identification system to refugees and asylum seekers by attributing them the National Identification Number (NNI).
The inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in the national identification registry, along with the issuance of legally recognized identity documents, strongly suggests the validity of these documents for accessing private sector services.
Moreover, the equal treatment principle affirmed in Article 4 of Decree No. 2017-410/PR/MI, which stipulates that refugees and asylum seekers shall receive the same treatment as nationals regarding labor legislation and social security, supports the recognition of their identity documents by private employers.
Therefore, the legal framework in Djibouti establishes a strong basis for the recognition of refugee and asylum seeker identity documents in the private sector, indicating their legal validity for accessing services such as banking, insurance, telecommunications, and private employment.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
Decree No. 2017-410/PR/MI Establishing the Modalities for Exercising the Fundamental Rights of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in the Republic of Djibouti
- Year: 2017
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2017/fr/149409
Legal provision
Article 3 - Duration of identification document
La carte de réfugié a une validité de cinq (5) ans renouvelable. Elle vaut également autorisation de séjour et permis de travail sur le territoire de la République de Djibouti. L’attestation délivrée par l’ONARS aux demandeurs d’asile dûment enregistrés a une validité de six (6) mois renouvelable. Elle vaut autorisation provisoire de séjour et de travail sur le territoire de la République de Djibouti.
Article 4 - Equality of treatment under work and social protection legislations
Les bénéficiaires du statut de réfugié et les demandeurs d’asile reçoivent le même traitement que les nationaux en ce qui concerne la législation nationale du travail et de la sécurité sociale.
Law No. 39/AN/19/8th L on the Identification of Natural Persons in the Republic of Djibouti; Creating a National Identification Number and Establishing a National Register
- Year: 2019
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.journalofficiel.dj/texte-juridique/loi-n39-an-19-8eme-l-portant-identification-des-personnes-physiques-en-republique-de-djibouti-creation-du-numero-national-didentification-et-etablissement-dun-registre-national/
Legal provision
Article 5
Le numéro national d’identification est attribué à : a. Toute personne physique inscrite dans un registre d’état civil ; b. Toute personne physique de nationalité Djiboutienne, inscrite dans un registre d’état civil tenu par les missions diplomatiques et consulaires Djiboutiennes à l’étranger ; c. Tout étranger résidant sur le territoire national de manière régulière.
Article 12
Le registre national constitue la référence unique en matière d’identification des individus et de production de tous les titres sécurisés et documents nationaux tels les actes d’état civil, la carte d’identité nationale, les documents de voyage, la carte d’électeur, le permis de conduire, la carte grise, l’autorisation de travail des étrangers, le casier judiciaire. D’autres pièces ou documents administratifs peuvent être rajoutés à cette liste par décret pris en Conseil des Ministres.