Djibouti's Defence Minister Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan has died, the government announced on Thursday.
In a statement, the government revealed that Mohamed died in France, where he had been receiving medical treatment.
President Ismail Omar Guelleh paid tribute to the late minister, describing him as one of Djibouti’s most loyal and talented public servants who devoted his career to serving the national interest.
“With the passing of Hassan Omar Mohamed, our country loses one of its most loyal and talented public servants to promote the general interest,” Ismail said.
The president also praised Hassan’s commitment to public service, saying he was guided by principles and ethical values rather than community affiliations.
"He also instilled esteem through his continued commitment to founding his key commitments on principles and ethical values, and not on the basis of community affiliation," Ismail said.
According to the statement, President Ismail travelled to France after the announcement of Hassan’s death, where he visited the hospital where the minister’s body was being held and paid his final respects.
Prime Minister Abdoulkader Mohamed Kamil hailed the late Minister's service and extended condolences to his family and the armed forces.
Kamil described Bourhan as a devoted public servant, trusted colleague and loyal companion, saying his death had left "an immense void" within the government and the armed forces.
Bourhan had served as Djibouti's defence minister since May 2019 and retained the portfolio following a cabinet reshuffle in May 2026.
During his tenure, he oversaw Djibouti's armed forces while helping strengthen defence cooperation with regional and international partners. He represented the country in regional security initiatives and held meetings with foreign defence officials, including then-U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in 2023, to discuss security cooperation in the Horn of Africa.
“A prominent figure in Djiboutian public life, the late Hassan Omar Mohamed had long been a high-ranking official in the State, notably as Commissioner of Tadjourah and Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior, before joining the Government about a decade earlier,” the president said.
