Ismail Omar Guelleh has been re-elected for a sixth term with 97.8% of the vote, according to state media, extending his nearly three-decade hold on power in the small but strategically significant East African nation.
The 78-year-old leader, who has governed Djibouti since 1999, confirmed the result in a brief post on X, sharing a photo of himself alongside the word “réélu” - French for “re-elected”. Official figures reported voter turnout at just over 80%.
Guelleh’s victory had been widely expected. His only challenger, Mohamed Farah Samatar, represents a minor party with no seats in parliament and secured just over 2% of the vote.
Major opposition groups have boycotted elections for years, citing concerns over fairness and transparency.
Last year, lawmakers removed the presidential age limit, allowing Guelleh to stand again, while also scrapping the requirement for a referendum on constitutional changes. Critics say such moves have further consolidated his grip on power, though the government denies accusations of democratic backsliding.
Despite political tensions, Djibouti has remained relatively stable compared with its neighbours. Positioned on the Gulf of Aden at the entrance to the Red Sea, the country hosts several foreign military bases and plays a key role in global shipping routes.
It has also invested heavily in port infrastructure, becoming a vital gateway for landlocked Ethiopia.
However, rights groups continue to accuse the authorities of suppressing dissent, targeting journalists and limiting political freedoms - claims the government strongly rejects.
For many in Djibouti, the latest result signals continuity rather than change, with Guelleh set to remain at the helm of a country whose strategic importance far outweighs its size.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as...
Israel and Lebanon are discussing a U.S.-backed proposal that would see Israeli forces withdraw from parts of southern Lebanon and transfer control of...
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said inspections in Iran will resume in the near future following an interim peace agreement betwe...
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to deepen counterterrorism cooperation amid continuing concerns over militant threats emanating from Afghanistan, unde...
Andy Burnham's path to Downing Street appeared to become clearer on Wednesday after another potential challenger ruled himself out of the Labour leade...
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
Israel and Lebanon are discussing a U.S.-backed proposal that would see Israeli forces withdraw from parts of southern Lebanon and transfer control of those areas to the Lebanese army, according to officials from both sides.
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said inspections in Iran will resume in the near future following an interim peace agreement between Tehran and Washington. However, Iranian officials insist access to key facilities remains contingent on a final deal and the lifting of sanctions.
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to deepen counterterrorism cooperation amid continuing concerns over militant threats emanating from Afghanistan, underlining growing alignment between the two countries on regional security.
Tehran has agreed to let the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommence inspections of its nuclear programme, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said. The U.S. and Iran have settled on a 60-day roadmap aimed at reaching a final deal, according to mediators Qatar and Pakistan.
A Ukrainian strike has damaged a school building in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, according to local authorities cited by the TASS news agency. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian assets would be used to buy humanitarian supplies from the United States.
Authorities in France are reporting that about 20 people have died over the weekend while swimming in unsupervised areas of rivers, lakes and coastal waters as they tried to escape the heatwave.
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said inspections in Iran will resume in the near future following an interim peace agreement between Tehran and Washington. However, Iranian officials insist access to key facilities remains contingent on a final deal and the lifting of sanctions.
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to deepen counterterrorism cooperation amid continuing concerns over militant threats emanating from Afghanistan, underlining growing alignment between the two countries on regional security.
Andy Burnham's path to Downing Street appeared to become clearer on Wednesday after another potential challenger ruled himself out of the Labour leadership race.
Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), faces possible removal from office after a key oversight body concluded he engaged in serious misconduct involving a junior staff member.
France has confirmed its first Ebola case linked to the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a doctor returning from a humanitarian mission tested positive for the virus, the health ministry said on Wednesday (24 June).
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment