Trending 
Djibouti’s legislature voted unanimously on Sunday to remove a presidential age limit, paving the way for Ismail Omar Guelleh to seek a sixth term.
Guelleh, often referred to as IOG, has been in power in the Horn of Africa country since 1999, which is a major port and home to military bases for the United States, France, and China.
According to Djibouti’s constitution, the head of state is barred from seeking office after the age of 75, which was a hindrance to Guelleh, who is 77, from participating in the upcoming election scheduled for April 2026.
However, an amendment to abolish the age restriction received unanimous support from all 65 parliamentarians present on Sunday, according to Speaker Dileita Mohamed Dileita.
The president can either endorse the decision or initiate a referendum. If the decision is supported, parliament will validate it with a second vote expected on November 2.
Guelleh indicated his interest in another five-year term during an interview with The Africa Report in May. In April 2021, Guelleh was re-elected, obtaining over 97 per cent of the vote.
His party, the Union for the Presidential Majority, holds a majority of seats in parliament.
Guelleh took over from Hassan Gouled Aptidon, the founding father of Djibouti’s independence, in 1999, after 22 years as his chief of staff.
Djibouti, with a population of around one million, plays a disproportionately significant role in the region.
Situated across from Yemen at the entrance to the Red Sea, in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, it is a key passage for a substantial portion of global trade between Asia and the West.
