Capital: Djibouti
Administrative divisions: 5 districts (cercles, singular—cercle);
'Ali Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura
Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977)
Constitution: multiparty constitution approved in referendum 4
September 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system, traditional
practices, and Islamic law
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
chief of state: President HASSAN GOULED Aptidon (since 24 June
1977); note—President HASSAN GOULED announced early in the year that
he would resign in April 1999
head of government: Prime Minister BARKAT Gourad Hamadou (since 30
September 1978)
cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;
election last held 7 May 1993 (next to be held 9 April 1999); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: President HASSAN GOULED reelected; percent of
vote—NA
Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des
Deputes (65 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year
terms)
elections: last held 19 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002)
election results: percent of vote—NA; seats—RPP 65; note—RPP (the
ruling party) dominated
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)