Djibouti’s Guelleh wins sixth term with 97.8% of vote, drawing praise from African leaders

Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh has secured a sixth term in office after winning 97.8% of the vote in Friday’s election, prompting a wave of congratulatory messages from African leaders and continental bodies.

The 78-year-old head of state extended his tenure following a landslide victory.

Sudan’s head of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, offered his congratulations and reaffirmed Sudan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and mutual cooperation with Djibouti.

Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also welcomed the outcome, noting Djibouti’s commitment to democratic progress and expressing a desire to further strengthen brotherly relations between the two neighboring nations. Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, added that Guelleh would sustain peace, stability, and prosperity for the Djiboutian people, while commending the country for its peaceful electoral process.

African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf praised Djibouti’s significant contribution to promoting regional peace, stability, security, and cooperation in the Horn of Africa.

Similarly, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu, affirmed Djibouti’s commitment to regional dialogue and collective action, emphasizing the nation’s dedication to peace, stability, and development.