Reporting by: HAN News Desk
DJIBOUTI – Djibouti’s President, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, has sparked debate after taking steps to remove the constitutional age limit for presidential candidates. The country’s parliament is expected to vote on the amendment this Sunday, potentially allowing Guelleh, now 77, to stand in the 2026 elections.
Under current law, candidates over 75 are barred from running. Guelleh has been in power since 1999, consistently winning elections by wide margins in a country where opposition parties have little influence. The proposed change would enable him to extend his rule beyond 26 years.
The move has drawn criticism from opposition figures, including Alex Mohamed Geldoon, a former presidential advisor now in opposition, who called it a “betrayal” of the Djiboutian people. Critics say the amendment undermines democratic principles in a nation already marked by limited political competition.
Djibouti, the smallest country in the Horn of Africa by both area and population, is strategically important as a trade gateway for Ethiopia and hosts several foreign military bases. The country also earns revenue from leasing facilities and hosting international undersea internet cables.
Despite these advantages, many Djiboutians face high electricity costs, limited water access, and basic service shortages.
During Guelleh’s 26-year presidency, neighbouring Somaliland has seen five different leaders, highlighting the contrast in political turnover.
