Djibouti to Hold Presidential Election Amid Controversy Over Guellehs Rule

Djibouti Prepares for Presidential Elections on Friday

President Ismail Omar Guelleh is set to run for a sixth term as the incumbent candidate in Djibouti’s presidential elections scheduled for this Friday. The country, with a population of approximately one million people, will hold its polls after lawmakers removed age limits last year, paving the way for another term in office.

Djibouti, located at the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, is strategically important due to its access to the Red Sea and global trade between Asia and the West. The country hosts military bases for several international powers, including the United States, France, China, and others, earning it the title of having the most foreign military bases.

The polls will see approximately 243,471 people registered to vote, with a voter turnout of around 67 percent in previous elections. Polls are expected to open early on April 10 and close in the evening. Election observers from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have arrived in Djibouti, with 17 observers deployed across all regions.

President Guelleh, 78 years old, has been in power since 1999 and is running for his sixth term as president. His party, the People’s Rally for Progress, will be competing in the polls. The country’s constitution was amended last year to remove a 75-year-old age limit, allowing Guelleh to run for another term.

The election is expected to take place on April 10, with results announced on April 12.

Source: Al Jazeera