Who Gets to Ride? Ethio-Djibouti’s Digital ID Rule and Potential Disparities

 Disclaimer

https://telegra.ph/Disclaimer-12-09-41

Once again, we have heard another news that left us both surprised and concerned. On February 22,2025 Ethio-Djibouti Railway Service (EDR) announced the launch of an online ticket booking service for its passengers.[1] This new online service requires users to provide their Fayda registration number. Fayda is Ethiopia’s national digital identification system which is introduced to facilitate identity verification across different services. It was launched with the aim of enhancing security and efficiency. However, its mandatory use for railway ticket booking raises concerns about its accessibility for those who haven’t yet attained the ID. This article will discuss the potential impacts and implications of the mandatory Fayda ID requirement for Ethio-Djibouti Railway Service. 

The Ethio-Djibouti Railway serves as an important link between Ethiopia and Djibouti by facilitating trade, movement, and societal relations. In 2019, the railway transported 84,073 passengers.[2] However, the recent implementation of a digital ID requirement for railway access raises significant human rights concerns, as it directly contradicts the right to freedom of movement guaranteed by various human rights instruments and the FDRE constitution. The right to freedom of movement is a fundamental principle provided under Article 13 of UDHR[3], Article 12 of ICCPR4 and under Article 325 of the FDRE constitution. Article 32 of the FDRE constitution has the implication that individuals have the right to freely move within their country, to leave and to return without unjustified restrictions. Given this commitment of the constitution, the author wonders if the decision of the EDR had legal backing and public consultation. 

The decision made by the EDR places a clear restriction on the right to freedom of movement. Totally banning Ethiopian nationals from using the service for the mere reason of not attaining the Fayda National Id is absurd as it prevents individuals from accessing essential transportation. The railway provides long distance transportation at a low and affordable price. Thus, finding an alternative means of transportation is obviously difficult for many users. The absence of an alternative means has a wide socio-economic impact which touches upon several other rights granted by the constitution such as the right to work. 

Beyond the legal implication, the decision affects marginalized groups and has a potential to create disparity among users. The exemption of Djibouti and other foreign passengers from this requirement raises questions about fairness and equality. It’s clear that obtaining the ID is difficult for foreigners. But if the purpose of the new system is “ensuring Security, Quality, and Efficient travel service for customers”, restricting Ethiopian nationals only while allowing foreign nationals to access the service without such barriers creates disparity and undermines the principle of equal access to public services. 

Rather than banning passengers altogether, the EDR could have come up with a more inclusive approach while still encouraging passengers to obtain the ID. The first and most compelling way was to use an incentive. The EDR could have offered discount tickets for those registering with Fayda ID. This would have been more effective since most people can not walk away from rewards. They could have also provided grace periods or offer on spot registration booths. All in all, as the author repeatedly notes modernization shall not come at the cost of citizens and their rights. If the goal of the new system is truly to modernize and improve travel, the focus should be on inclusivity, not exclusion.  

References

[1] Brlie M, “Ethio-Djibouti Railway Launches Online Ticketing Service” (Welcome to Fana Broadcasting Corporate S.C, February 22, 2025)

<https://www.fanabc.com/english/ethio-djibouti-railway-launches-online-ticketing-service/> 

[2] Wikipedia contributors, “Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway” (Wikipedia, March 2, 2025)

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addis_Ababa%E2%80%93Djibouti_Railway?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-8>

[3] United Nations, “Universal Declaration of Human Rights | United Nations” (United Nations) , Article 13 4 United Nations, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (adopted 16 December 1966, entered into force 23 March 1976), Article 12  The FDRE Constitution (1995), Article 32 

Author’s Biography 

Mekdelawit Dereje is a fifth year law student currently enrolled at Addis Ababa University, School of Law. She is a member of the AAU Justice club Legal Updates team. 

Email: mekdelawitdereje11@gmail.com

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekdelawit-dereje-52458825a/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign

=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app