Djibouti Heads to the Polls

Ismail Omar Guelleh held his final campaign rally ahead of Friday’s presidential election, calling for national unity as he seeks to extend his long rule over Djibouti.

Guelleh, who has been in power since 1999, is widely expected to win and begin another term, potentially extending his leadership to nearly three decades. During the rally, he urged citizens to stay united and said national togetherness is key to the country’s future.

Supporters credit him with maintaining stability in a region often affected by conflict, pointing to unrest in neighboring countries like Ethiopia and Somalia.

Djibouti’s location on the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait has made it an important global military and trade hub. The country hosts military forces from the United States, France, China, Japan, and Italy.

However, critics and human rights groups accuse Guelleh’s government of suppressing opposition, limiting press freedom, and making the election unfair. Some opponents describe the vote as largely symbolic, saying the result is already decided.

Although Guelleh remains the clear favorite, questions about his health have also raised uncertainty about how long he can continue leading.

Source: Newstimehub