Djibouti’s long-serving president, Ismail Omar Guelleh, has been re-elected for a sixth term after securing an overwhelming 97.8 percent of the vote in Friday’s presidential election, according to official results released by the interior ministry.
His sole challenger, Mohamed Farah Samatar, a relatively unknown political figure, received just 2.2 percent of the vote. The outcome had been widely anticipated in the small Horn of Africa nation, where opposition parties have struggled to mount significant challenges in recent years.
Guelleh, 78, who has ruled Djibouti for 27 years, declared victory early on social media as preliminary results showed him with a commanding lead. “Re-elected,” he posted ahead of the official announcement.
The veteran leader, often referred to by his initials IOG, cast his vote at City Hall in the capital alongside his wife under heavy security. Speaking to reporters, he expressed confidence in the outcome, saying, “By the grace of God, we have arrived here, and we hope that this will end in victory.”
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Djibouti, a nation of about one million people, holds strategic importance due to its location at the crossroads of major global shipping routes. Under Guelleh’s leadership, the country has positioned itself as a key military and maritime hub, hosting bases from several world powers, including the United States, France, China, Japan and Italy. These partnerships have brought significant economic and security benefits.
Despite this, critics have long raised concerns about the country’s democratic credentials. Guelleh’s previous election victory in 2021, also with more than 97 percent of the vote, was boycotted by much of the opposition.
Earlier this year, Guelleh had indicated he would step down, but a constitutional amendment passed in November removed the presidential age limit of 75, enabling him to contest the election once again.
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Samatar, leader of the Unified Democratic Centre (CDU), a party without representation in parliament, struggled to gain traction during the campaign. While Guelleh drew large crowds at rallies and dominated public visibility with campaign posters across the العاصمة, Samatar’s appearances were sparsely attended.
“I’m going to vote for Ismail Omar Guelleh because he has a good programme for young people. I don’t even know what his opponent looks like,” said Deka Aden Mohamed, a 38-year-old voter in the capital.
Voting on Friday proceeded under tight security, with some polling stations remaining open an hour longer than scheduled due to delays earlier in the day. However, few observers doubted the eventual outcome.
Guelleh’s decisive victory further cements his grip on power, extending a presidency that has shaped Djibouti’s political landscape for nearly three decades. While his administration points to stability and strategic success, questions remain over political pluralism and the future of democratic competition in the country.
