In a sweeping move aimed at tightening control over its borders, the Republic of Djibouti has issued a firm ultimatum to undocumented migrants: leave the country by the end of April 2025 or face expulsion.
The announcement, made Wednesday, April 23rd, signals a shift toward stricter immigration enforcement in the tiny but strategically located Horn of Africa nation, which serves as both a refuge and a transit hub for thousands of migrants trying to reach the Gulf states in search of work.
“Those residing here illegally have been invited to depart voluntarily,” said Alexis Mohamed, a senior advisor to President Ismaël Omar Guelleh. Framing the decision as one driven by national priorities, Mohamed emphasized that the government’s stance stems from mounting public health and security concerns.
Djibouti has long found itself at the crossroads of desperate migration flows—many of them from conflict-ridden neighbors like Ethiopia, Somalia, and Yemen. For some, Djibouti is a temporary stopover on the perilous journey across the Red Sea to the oil-rich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. The risks of such crossings are staggering: according to 2024 UN figures, nearly 560 migrants have already lost their lives this year attempting the voyage in overcrowded, unseaworthy boats.
Though Djibouti has previously tolerated the presence of migrants, this latest move suggests the country is now drawing a clear line, especially as pressure mounts from both domestic and regional developments. With the deadline looming, undocumented migrants have less than a year to either regularize their status—if eligible—or leave the country before authorities begin forced removals.
The government has not yet detailed the enforcement measures it intends to employ come next spring, but the message is unambiguous: time is running out for those who remain in Djibouti without legal documentation.
