- FIDH have criticized Djibouti’s elections as “not free”
- The 77-year-old leader has ruled the small Horn of Africa nation since 1999
- Guelleh hinted at his intentions, saying he “loves his country too much
Djibouti’s long-serving President Ismail Omar Guelleh is set to run for a sixth term in next year’s election, following a constitutional amendment that removed the age limit for presidential candidates.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the announcement came after a congress of the ruling People’s Rally for Progress (RPP), where National Assembly President Dileita Mohamed Dileita confirmed that Guelleh had agreed to run again.
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Although the presidency has yet to issue an official statement, political insiders say his candidacy is virtually certain.
The 77-year-old leader has ruled the small Horn of Africa nation since 1999, maintaining tight control over its politics. In the 2021 election, Guelleh secured 97 percent of the vote, while his coalition, the Union for the Presidential Majority, dominates parliament.
However, international observers and human rights groups, including the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), have criticized Djibouti’s elections as “not free”, citing suppression of dissent and limited media freedom.
The latest amendment, passed less than a week ago, abolished the 75-year age cap for presidential contenders. A previous constitutional change in 2010 also scrapped the two-term limit, paving the way for Guelleh’s continued rule.
Djibouti, strategically located on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, hosts military bases for major powers, including the United States, France, China, Japan, and Italy. Despite its small population of around one million, its geopolitical position makes it one of Africa’s most significant military and trade hubs.
When asked earlier this year about his political future, Guelleh hinted at his intentions, saying he “loves his country too much to cause divisions.”
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