STORY: :: Djibouti president Ismael Omar Guelleh celebrates his re-election win
:: Djibouti, Djibouti / April 11, 2026
"I understand the message by our people towards me which is big and I will take it with the help of almighty. We pray to protect our nation, pray for development, pray for unity, and pray for love. After this we are also working to put our country on the world map as a small country with economic challenges but with a strong heart and fresh mind and with the help of the almighty to overcome all these challenges. I wish you victory to the people our nation." // "Our people have spoken with remarkable strength, and the message they have conveyed to me is even more powerful than I had anticipated."
The country of less than 1 million people sits on the Gulf of Aden at the entrance to the Red Sea and hosts U.S., Chinese, French, Italian and Japanese military bases. Since 2023, several commercial ships damaged in attacks by Yemen's Houthi militants have docked in the country.
Victory for the 78-year-old Guelleh, who was handpicked in 1999 to succeed his uncle Hassan Gouled Aptidon and whose party dominates national institutions, was never in doubt.
Last October, parliament voted to remove the 75-year age limit for presidential candidates and also scrapped a referendum previously required to approve a new constitution.
