Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Djibouti and the Greater Horn Horizon Forum.
Purpose. This agreement concerns the Secretariat of the Forum and its privileges as well as its duties in the Republic of Djibouti.
Article 1 — Definitions. The ‘Government’ refers to the Government of the Republic of Djibouti; the ‘Forum’ to the Greater Horn Horizon Forum, an independent, autonomous, non-profit organization; the ‘Secretariat’ to the premises occupied by the Forum (excluding staff accommodation); and ‘staff’ to the employees of the Secretariat.
Article 2 — GHHF office. The Republic of Djibouti authorizes the Forum to open its executive office in Djibouti, to hold its meetings and to exercise its activities.
Article 3 — Recognition and employees. The Government accepts the Forum as an independent and autonomous entity that recruits members from the Greater Horn and beyond, and that functions independently, including in planning its activities and budget. The Forum may assign scholars and intellectuals to its office; the Djiboutian authorities agree to issue them entry visas. The Forum periodically provides the Government with the names of scholars on mission and informs it of any change in their situation.
Article 4 — Temporary local staff. Terms of employment for temporary local staff paid on an hourly basis comply with the labour regulations of the Republic of Djibouti; such staff benefit from all necessary facilities and perform their duties without interference.
Article 5 — Supplies and equipment. The Government issues the authorizations and licences for the importation of the Forum’s required items and equipment, ensuring customs clearance and delivery at its own cost. The Forum is exempted from direct taxes, VAT, excise duties and fees on items for its official use, and from customs on building materials, educational materials, official vehicles and fuel — on a par with other international organizations and diplomatic missions. The Forum may not sell duty-free imported items within Djibouti without authorization of the Ministry of Finance. Expatriate staff are exempted from customs, taxes and duties on their personal effects on official arrival.
Article 6 — Visas, permits and other authorizations. The Forum is free to invite scholars and eminent national and international persons to its meetings, conferences and workshops without interference. Scholars on mission obtain prompt and free entry visas, permits and authorizations, and are granted free entry, movement and exit to attend the Forum’s activities.
Article 7 — Communication and publications. The Forum enjoys the same communication privileges granted to other international organizations and diplomatic missions. No censorship applies to its official correspondence, publications or data; it may use codes and sealed pouches, and is entitled to official frequencies and to the privileges of the International Convention on Telecommunication (Nairobi, 1982). It may import books, publications, pictures and films duty-free and without censorship to equip its library.
Articles 8–9 — Transport and infrastructure. The Government imposes no unjustified restrictions on the acquisition, use and maintenance of the means of transport necessary for the Forum’s activities, and agrees to provide services and basic infrastructure, including adequate office space and equipment — on a par with international organizations and diplomatic missions.
Article 10 — Immunities and privileges. All persons providing services to the Forum enjoy legal immunity for their statements, written communications and actions undertaken in the exercise of their official duties — an immunity that continues after their term of service — and, with their families, the same repatriation arrangements granted to diplomatic staff during an international crisis.
Article 11 — Applicable law. In the event of a dispute, the laws of the Republic of Djibouti apply.
Articles 12–13 — Entry into force, validity and amendments. The agreement enters into force on signature and ratification by the Forum, is valid for two years (28 May 2008 to 27 May 2010) and is renewable by agreement. Either party may terminate it on three months’ notice. It may be amended by written agreement between the two parties.
Signed on 18 May 2008 — for the Government of Djibouti by H.E. Mr Ali Abdi Farah, and for the Greater Horn Horizon Forum by Prof. Abdel Ghaffar Ahmed.