Djibouti’s President Ismael Omar Guelleh has secured re-election with 97.8% of the vote, according to state-owned Radio Television Djibouti, marking a sixth term that extends his 27-year rule over the small but strategically located Horn of Africa nation.
Guelleh celebrated the result by posting an image of himself on X featuring the French word “RÉÉLU,” meaning “re-elected.”
Djibouti, a country of fewer than one million people, sits on the Gulf of Aden at the entrance to the Red Sea and hosts military bases from the United States, China, France, Italy, and Japan. Since 2023, it has also seen several commercial ships damaged in Houthi attacks in the Red Sea region dock at its ports.
The 78-year-old leader, who was chosen in 1999 to succeed his uncle Hassan Gouled Aptidon, faced little challenge in the election. His party continues to dominate national institutions.
Last October, parliament removed the 75-year age limit for presidential candidates and scrapped the requirement for a referendum to approve a new constitution.
In Friday’s vote, Guelleh faced only one opposition candidate, Mohamed Farah Samatar, from a small party without parliamentary representation. Two major opposition parties boycotted the election, accusing authorities of lacking impartiality.
State media reported an 80.4% voter turnout. In the 2021 election, Guelleh won with more than 97% of the vote.
Despite relative stability compared to other Horn of Africa countries, human rights organizations have accused the government of repressing political opponents, activists, and journalists. The authorities have denied the allegations and rejected criticism of the electoral process.
In 2020, security forces dispersed rare anti-government protests triggered by the arrest of a former air force pilot who had accused officials of corruption and clan-based discrimination.