Guelleh Re-elected President, IGAD Secretary General Congratulates

Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh, 78, was re-elected for a sixth term after winning 97.8% of the vote in Friday’s elections, extending his 27-year rule in the strategically located East African nation.

Djibouti, with a population of less than one million, lies on the Gulf of Aden at the entrance to the Red Sea and hosts military bases for the United States, China, France, Italy, and Japan.

Last October, the Djiboutian parliament voted to remove the 75-year age limit for presidential candidates, paving the way for Guelleh to run for another term.

The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), headquartered in Djibouti, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, congratulated President Ismail Omar Guelleh on his re-election as President of the Republic of Djibouti. The Executive Secretary commended the people of Djibouti for the smooth conduct of the elections and their active participation in the electoral process, reflecting their continued commitment to peace, stability, and national development.

He also emphasized Djibouti’s established role as a hub for regional diplomacy and cooperation, and its ongoing contribution to promoting dialogue, stability, and collective action in the Horn of Africa.

The Executive Secretary praised Mulatu Teshome, former President of Ethiopia and head of the IGAD election observation mission, and all observers for their professionalism and dedication in carrying out their monitoring duties.

The Executive Secretary reaffirmed IGAD’s continued commitment to working with the government and people of Djibouti to promote regional cooperation, peace, stability, and shared prosperity.