Djibouti President Ismael Guelleh is set to extend his rule into a fifth term following Friday’s election, in which he secured 98.58% of the provisional vote results.
Guelleh, who has led the country for over two decades, is anticipated to serve what is theoretically his final term due to a 2010 constitutional reform that introduced an age limit of 75 and removed term limits.
At 73, Guelleh is Djibouti’s second president since the nation gained independence from France in 1977. He faced a challenge from businessman Zakaria Farah, who garnered less than 5,000 votes. Farah has criticized the exclusion of his delegates from polling stations, suggesting they were barred from entering.
Ahmed Tidiane Souare, head of the African Union (AU) observation mission, reported that his team did not encounter any of Farah’s delegates at the polling stations but noted that their presence was not required. Souare added that the voting process had proceeded smoothly and calmly.
The final results are expected to be announced soon by the Constitutional Council.
Despite its strategic location flanked by Somalia and across from Yemen, which has attracted foreign military powers such as France, the United States, and China, Djibouti has experienced a decline in press freedom and a crackdown on dissent. Guelleh and his family have maintained tight control over the country, with a rare wave of opposition protests in 2020 being met with severe repression.
