Does the architect of the renewal of Djibouti City, Mayor Mr. Said Daoud, honorably embody the Personality of the Month?

Date de l'événement : 2025-03-05

Since his election in April 2022, Said Daoud has emerged as a key player in the urban renewal of the capital. An active member of the RPP for over thirty years, cultural activist, and founder of ADAC, he combines experience and dynamism to shape a more modern, clean, and inclusive city. Born in Djibouti City, Said Daoud has always placed culture and civic engagement at the heart of his journey. His involvement in activism, followed by large-scale cultural projects, reflects a deep attachment to his community. His election in 2022 as the head of the municipality is thus the culmination of a long-standing commitment and unwavering loyalty to national politics. Upon taking office, he launched the "Djibouti City, Zero-Waste" initiative, an ambitious program aimed at improving the city's hygiene and cleanliness. In less than two years, more than 10,000 car wrecks and tons of waste have been removed from main roads and popular neighborhoods, providing a more pleasant living environment for residents. Concurrently, significant works have been undertaken to improve traffic and infrastructure quality: opening of roads, leveling, drainage... Additionally, extensive campaigns for pruning, reforestation, and beach cleaning have been implemented, with a view to developing the blue economy. These initiatives demonstrate his desire to transform Djibouti City into a more welcoming and harmonious urban space. Beyond these efforts to make the city cleaner and better arranged, Said Daoud focuses on grassroots governance. Aware that sustainable change requires active citizen involvement, he has established regular tours in the neighborhoods of Boulaos, Ras Dika, and Balballa. These meetings allow for the direct collection of residents' concerns and the adaptation of municipal projects accordingly. Furthermore, the formation of a rejuvenated and diverse municipal team, with more than 35% female representation, reflects his commitment to more inclusive and participatory governance. In his desire to modernize municipal management, he has also undertaken a restructuring of administrative services. The creation of an effective management committee, the improvement of working conditions for staff, and the modernization of the civil status service illustrate this reform dynamic. Today, with the presence of a dedicated accountant and the registration of elected officials at the CNSS, the municipality aspires to a more transparent and efficient administration, better aligned with citizens' expectations and national goals. But Said Daoud's project doesn't stop there. His ambition is to make Djibouti City a green and sustainable metropolis. True to his slogan "Doing good in small steps," he intends to launch new initiatives to strengthen social cohesion, improve service accessibility, and ensure a healthy living environment for the approximately 600,000 inhabitants of the capital. Supported by the President of the Republic, he invites every Djiboutian to actively participate in this transformation. Additionally, Said Daoud's commitment to sustainable urban development is also reflected through international partnerships, as evidenced by the twinning signed with the city of Rabat. During an official ceremony, the mayors of the two capitals sealed a memorandum of understanding aimed at establishing strategic cooperation. This agreement paves the way for expertise exchanges in various fields: municipal management, urban planning, cultural enhancement, infrastructure modernization, and the promotion of environmental projects. It thus marks a shared desire to build more resilient cities connected to the challenges of the 21st century. Finally, Said Daoud embodies this new generation of mayors who combine expertise, proximity, and ambition to shape the future. His actions, focused on innovation and improving the living environment, make him an essential player in the development of Djibouti City. Under his governance, the capital evolves, proving that urban modernization and environmental preservation can go hand in hand to build a harmonious and prosperous future for all. Translation : Nouria Omar Gaber