Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh announced his re-election for a sixth term on Saturday, just hours after the polls closed. In power since 1999, he proclaimed his victory even though only partial results had been released.
According to initial figures from a small number of polling stations, the incumbent president is projected to win a very large majority of votes against his sole opponent, who is relatively unknown to the general public. Turnout, which varies from polling station to polling station, remains moderate in the capital, where the majority of the population lives.
The election is taking place in a political environment dominated by the ruling party, with a weakened opposition that was largely invisible during the campaign. Human rights organizations regularly denounce restrictions on civil liberties, particularly those affecting the press.
Djibouti occupies a strategic position in the Horn of Africa and hosts several foreign military bases, contributing to its geopolitical importance. The president's continued hold on power also comes amid uncertainty related to his age and the lack of a clearly identified successor.
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