MOGADISHU – Djibouti’s President, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, has secured reelection for a sixth consecutive term, clinching a staggering 97.81% of the vote in Friday’s election, according to official results.

At 78, Guelleh has been at the helm of this small nation in the Horn of Africa, home to around 1 million people, for over 20 years. Notably, last year, Djibouti’s parliament eliminated age restrictions for presidential candidates, allowing Guelleh to extend his leadership.

Election authorities reported that the voting process went smoothly and without incident. On Saturday, jubilant supporters gathered at the presidential palace to celebrate the victory and extend their congratulations.

Guelleh’s only opponent in the election was Mohamed Farah Samatar, a former member of the ruling party. Observers have pointed out that the election lacked genuine competition, a situation often exacerbated by opposition parties boycotting elections due to alleged constraints on political freedom.

Guelleh originally took office in 1999, succeeding his uncle, former President Hassan Gouled Aptidon. This transition continued a long-standing family dominance in the nation’s political landscape.

Djibouti’s strategic location has made it a hub for foreign military bases, including those of the U.S., China, France, and Japan. Situated along a crucial shipping route that connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, the country benefits economically from these military presences and its port facilities, especially in serving neighboring Ethiopia.