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Djibouti’s long-serving President Ismail Omar Guelleh has secured a sixth term in office, winning 97.81% of the vote in a widely uncontested election marked by a high turnout. The results handed Guelleh an unprecedented mandate, extending his tenure as the East African nation’s leader to an astonishing 24 years.
The elections, which were held on Friday, saw Guelleh’s Rassemblement Populaire (People’s Assembly) party dominate the polls, as it has done since the first multi-party election in 1999. The opposition groups were limited in their ability to challenge Guelleh’s rule due to various restrictions imposed by the government, citing security concerns.
Despite the low level of political competition, the turnout was impressive, with reports indicating that almost 90% of eligible voters cast their ballots. This turnout highlights the resilience of a system in which the opposition faces significant hurdles, including censorship, intimidation, and limited access to media and public resources.
Guelleh, a 80-year-old strongman who has held power since independence from France in 1977, has long been accused of suppressing democratic freedoms. His rule has also been marred by reports of widespread human rights abuses, including arrests and detentions of opposition figures and civil society activists.
Critics of Guelleh’s regime point to the country’s fragile economy and the reliance on foreign investment and military bases operated by major powers such as the United States and China. According to reports, the opposition is struggling to find a unified voice under Guelleh’s authoritarian rule.
The international community has largely refrained from publicly expressing concerns over the outcome, with many Western powers and regional organizations, including the African Union, maintaining a neutral stance on the elections. However, human rights organizations have been vocal in their criticism of the limited freedoms and opposition participation in the voting process.
The outcome of the election has sparked concerns over the future direction of Djibouti’s politics and economy. Given the lack of democratic competition, it remains unclear how future power succession might unfold after Guelleh, who has shown no indication of an intention to step down.
The country’s long-term economic and social development hangs in the balance, as foreign investors and regional leaders continue to play a significant role in Djibouti’s strategic location. The fragile stability of the region’s politics raises important questions about the sustainability of Guelleh’s 24-year rule and its impact on the East African nation’s trajectory.