Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh claims sixth-term election victory

Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh has claimed victory in the 2026 presidential election, securing a sixth consecutive term in the strategically important Horn of Africa state.

Early results released by the electoral commission showed Guelleh, 78, winning more than 96% of the vote, ahead of Mohamed Farah Samatar, leader of the Unified Democratic Centre.

• Preliminary count: over 96% for Guelleh, around 3.5% for Samatar

• Election follows a constitutional amendment removing the presidential age limit

• Djibouti hosts military bases from major global powers, including the US, China and France

• Youth unemployment estimated at around 70%, with rising national debt

Guelleh, in power since 1999, has positioned Djibouti as a key maritime and military hub along the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a critical global shipping route.

Analysts cite regional stability concerns and limited opposition as factors shaping the outcome, alongside ongoing economic and governance challenges.

ℹ️ Le Monde with AFP

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Djibouti’s incumbent President Ismail Omar Guelleh casts his vote at the City Hall polling station during the presidential election in Mouloud, Djibouti, on Friday, April 10, 2026.GUIRREH MOUMIN / AP
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Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh claims sixth-term election victory
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