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.
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