Djibouti, 8 May 2023 – Ismail Omar Guelleh, the long-serving president of Djibouti, has been re-elected for a sixth term with an overwhelming 97.8% of the vote, according to official results released on Saturday. Guelleh, who has governed the small East African nation for 27 years, defeated his sole opponent, Mohamed Farah Samatar, who secured just 2.2% of the vote.
Guelleh’s victory came after a campaign that saw him widely supported by the population, with his image plastered across the capital and his rallies attracting thousands of followers. In contrast, Samatar, the leader of the Unified Democratic Centre (CDU), struggled to gain significant backing, with his campaign events drawing minimal attendance.
Despite previous announcements that Guelleh intended to step down, a constitutional amendment in November removed the age limit of 75 for presidential candidates, allowing him to run again. The incumbent’s re-election is seen as a testament to his political acumen and deep roots in Djibouti.
Under Guelleh’s leadership, Djibouti has become a strategic international military and maritime hub, hosting bases and contingents from several world powers, including France, the United States, China, Japan, and Italy. This has brought substantial financial, security, and political benefits to the nation. Paragraph: Guelleh’s landslide win underscores his enduring popularity and the stability he has brought to Djibouti, despite the country’s small size and remote location.
Source: Africanews
Original author: Rédaction Africanews
