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Djibouti’s President, Ismail Omar Guelleh, has been officially confirmed as the winner of the country’s recent election, securing a commanding 97.01 per cent of the vote.
The confirmation came from Djibouti’s Constitutional Council on Tuesday, solidifying Guelleh’s unbroken rule over the strategically important nation in the Horn of Africa.
Guelleh, 78, has held power since 1999, and this victory marks his sixth consecutive term in office.
The election results were not surprising, as early reports following the April 10th vote showed Guelleh had already amassed 97.81 per cent of the vote, with a single opponent, Mohamed Farah Samatar, receiving a mere 2.99 per cent.
“In this election, President Guelleh obtained 97.01 percent of the vote, for a total of 204,874 votes cast. His main opponent, Mohamed Farah Samatar, received 6,318 votes,” stated the Constitutional Council, confirming the overwhelming support for the incumbent.
Despite his earlier promises that his fifth term would be his last, Guelleh amended the country’s constitution, allowing him to seek re-election beyond the age of 75. His extended rule is a testament to the president’s strong grip on power, despite the absence of significant opposition.
Djibouti, a former French colony with just over a million inhabitants, is a vital global shipping and military hub due to its location near the Bab el Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
The country’s strategic position has attracted military bases from global powers including France, the United States, China, Japan, and Italy, reinforcing its importance on the world stage.
As Guelleh begins his sixth term, it remains to be seen how he will navigate the challenges of maintaining such a long-standing rule in an increasingly interconnected and scrutinised world.
