President Guelleh Wins Sixth Term in Djibouti Election
Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh has secured a sixth term in office with 97.8% of the vote, according to preliminary official results. This victory extends his leadership over the strategically located Horn of Africa nation.
The 78-year-old incumbent faced a single challenger, Mohamed Farah Samatar, who received 2.19% of the vote in an election largely boycotted by the opposition parties.
Guelleh has been in power for 27 years. Although he had initially promised to step down, he ran for re-election following a constitutional amendment in November that removed the upper age limit of 75 years for presidential candidates.
His campaign emphasized the stability he has maintained in Djibouti, contrasting it with conflicts affecting other countries in the region and the Middle East.
Djibouti, situated on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, serves as a critical gateway to the Suez Canal, one of the busiest maritime routes globally.
The country hosts military bases from several global powers, including the United States, China, France, Italy, and Japan.
Since gaining independence from France in 1977, Guelleh is only the second president of Djibouti.
The main opposition leaders, such as Dahir Ahmed Farah, have boycotted elections since 2016, citing the absence of free political activity.
Following the announcement of the results, Guelleh celebrated his victory at his residence, stating:
"It was a victory for the entire nation."
Officials reported that over 80% of registered voters participated in the election held on Friday.
Mohamed Farah Samatar, representing a minor party without parliamentary seats, has yet to issue a statement regarding the election outcome.
The interior ministry released the results, which must be validated by judges on the constitutional council before Guelleh can be sworn in for another five-year term.
Guelleh won the previous 2021 election by a similar margin.
Additional Information
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