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Preliminary results confirm landslide victory
Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh has won a sixth term in office after capturing 97.8% of the vote in Friday's election, according to preliminary figures released by the interior ministry.
Opposition boycott and sole challenger
The election saw only one rival candidate, Mohamed Farah Samatar, who secured 2.19% of the ballots. Most opposition parties refused to participate, citing restrictions on political freedoms.
Samatar, representing a minor party without parliamentary representation, has not yet responded to the results. Voter turnout exceeded 80% of registered voters, officials reported.
Constitutional changes pave way for re-election
Guelleh, 78, had previously pledged to step down but reversed his decision after lawmakers amended the constitution in November to remove the 75-year age limit for presidential candidates. The change allowed him to seek another term.
In 2010, Djibouti's parliament abolished term limits and reduced presidential mandates from six to five years. Guelleh has governed the country since 1999, making him Djibouti's second president since gaining independence from France in 1977.
Stability and strategic importance
Guelleh's campaign emphasized his role in maintaining stability in Djibouti amid regional conflicts. The nation, located along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, serves as a critical gateway to the Suez Canal, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
The country hosts military bases for the United States, China, France, Italy, and Japan, underscoring its geopolitical significance.
Next steps and validation
The constitutional council must now validate the results before Guelleh can be sworn in for another five-year term. He won the 2021 election by a comparable margin.
"This victory belongs to the entire nation," Guelleh declared during a celebration at his residence.
