Archives Nationales et Bibliothèque Nationale de Djibouti (Centre National de Documentation)

History and Founding

Djibouti gained independence from France in 1977, and the Republic of Djibouti subsequently established national institutions to document its history and cultural heritage. The National Archives and National Library (Archives Nationales et Bibliothèque Nationale) are housed in modern purpose-built facilities in the Balbala district of Djibouti City, which were inaugurated by President Ismail Omar Guelleh in a ceremony highlighting the importance of archival memory to national identity. The buildings cover areas of approximately 5,400 m² (library) and 6,200 m² (archives), each containing administrative spaces, documentation rooms, projection and conference facilities, and exhibition areas. They were constructed over approximately 30 months and were designed to be accessible to people with special needs. The institution's mission, enshrined in Law No. 132, recognises the archives' role in asserting national identity, citizenship, collective memory, and national culture.

Collections and Holdings

The national archives hold official records of the Djiboutian government. Pre-independence records documenting the colonial French Somaliland and French Territory of the Afars and Issas periods are largely held in France. The Archives Nationales de France and the Archives Nationales d'Outre-Mer (ANOM) in Aix-en-Provence are the principal repositories for pre-1977 Djiboutian documentation. The Djibouti institution focuses on post-independence records and is working to build its documentation capacity. Public authorities and autonomous services have been invited by the head of state to transfer archives older than seven years to strengthen the institution's holdings.

Access and Usage

The national archive and library facilities are open to the public, with access available to researchers and the general public. There is no publicly accessible online catalogue at this time. Pre-independence research should be directed to the relevant French overseas archives. Contact for the institution is available through its Facebook page.