State-controlled Radio Television Djibouti said on Saturday that President Ismael Omar Guelleh won re-election with 97.8% of the vote, securing a sixth term and extending his hold on power to 27 years. Guelleh shared an image on X bearing the French word RÉÉLU, indicating he had been re-elected.
The nation, home to fewer than 1 million people, occupies a strategic position 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. The port has also taken in several commercial vessels damaged in attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militants since 2023.
The victory of the 78-year-old leader, who was selected in 1999 to follow his uncle Hassan Gouled Aptidon and whose party retains dominant control of national institutions, was widely seen as certain. In October of the previous year, parliament voted to remove a 75-year age limit for presidential contenders and to eliminate the need for a referendum to approve a new constitution.
Opposition participation and turnout
On Friday’s ballot Guelleh faced a single opposition candidate, Mohamed Farah Samatar, representing a small party without seats in parliament. Two principal opposition parties have abstained from contests since 2016, accusing electoral authorities of failing to act impartially. State media reported voter turnout at 80.4%.
By way of comparison, in the 2021 contest Guelleh won with over 97% of the vote.
Stability, infrastructure and criticism
Djibouti has remained comparatively stable relative to several other countries in the Horn of Africa in recent years. The government has invested heavily in port infrastructure, positioning the country as the primary maritime gateway for landlocked Ethiopia.
At the same time, human rights organizations have accused Djiboutian authorities of repressing political opponents, activists and journalists. The government has denied claims of widespread abuses and dismissed criticism of the electoral process.
Security forces suppressed rare anti-government street protests in 2020 following the arrest of a former air force pilot who had publicly alleged corruption and clan-based discrimination.
This election prolongs the current administration’s control amid continued strategic importance of the country’s ports and military facilities, sustained opposition boycotts and international scrutiny over civil liberties and electoral integrity.