J20DX

[IK0ZCW]

Col, MM0NDX and Jonathan, MM0OKG reported on 16 April that their "radio equipment was impounded by customs at the Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport upon arrival", despite the fact that the third
operator (Christian, EA3NT/J20NT) had cleared customs "smoothly" two days earlier. On 17 April, being still unable to retrieve their bags, the team decided to cancel their planned activity from Sept-Freres (AF-059) "due to time constraints", and to use Christian's equipment from Moucha Island (AF-053).
On 18 April "at 0700 local we departed the mainland for the 40 minute crossing to Moucha Island", they posted to the DXpedition's website (https://j20dx.com/news/). "We identified an excellent location for radio upon arrival and immediately assembled a 15m VDA and 17m & 20m vertical dipoles. Our intention was to add more antennas as the day progressed.
Literally 5 minutes before the first CQ from AF-053 we received a phone-call from National Security saying signatures were needed for the authorization letter to permit us to collect our impounded gear. This same letter would also allow us to depart Djibouti without anymore issues at airport customs.
However, we had to return to the mainland to get the letter. The weekend is Friday and Saturday here in Djibouti meaning this would likely be our final chance of obtaining the important authorization letter prior to heading home. Before we had even started, teardown begun. Yes, we left the island 2 hours after arriving. AF-053 is now also cancelled. Upon returning to the mainland we headed straight to the National Security offices. Yes, you guessed it - no authorized letter to be seen. We had basically been told fake news. We've now had enough of this country and look forward to heading home".