Ismaïl Omar Guelleh Re-elected Djibouti President

Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, 78, has secured a sixth term as President of Djibouti, extending his 27-year rule after winning the presidential election with 97.8% of the vote. His sole opponent, Mohamed Farah Samatar of the Djibouti===Unified Democratic Center, received 2.19%. The election followed a constitutional amendment in November that removed the 75-year age limit for presidential candidates, allowing Guelleh to run again despite previous announcements to step down. The outcome was widely anticipated, with low voter turnout and most opposition parties boycotting the election. Guelleh's campaign emphasized stability in the volatile Horn of Africa region, leveraging Djibouti's strategic location at the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a critical shipping route. Djibouti hosts military bases for France, the United States, China, Japan, and Italy, generating significant financial and security benefits. Despite the perceived stability, Djibouti faces challenges including 70% youth unemployment and substantial national debt, particularly to China. Human rights organizations accuse the government of repressing dissent and favoring the Issa ethnic group over the Afar minority.