Djibouti, 14 January 2026 – The government of Djibouti has officially designated the Abourma rock art site in the Tadjourah region a national monument, a key step in its bid to secure the country’s first-ever entry on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The decision was ratified during the first Council of Ministers session of 2026 on Tuesday, presided over by President Ismail Omar Guelleh. The new decree provides formal state protection to the site, which experts describe as one of the most significant archaeological treasures in the Horn of Africa.
Located in the Makarassou Massif, the Abourma site contains more than 900 well-preserved rock engravings. These Neolithic artworks depict a diverse range of wildlife, including giraffes, ostriches, and antelopes, suggesting that the now-arid Tadjourah region was once a lush, green landscape.
The Council also approved the establishment of a National Commission for Heritage and Culture. This body will serve as a technical advisor to the Ministry of Youth and Culture, tasked with identifying, registering, and protecting both tangible and intangible cultural assets.