The political landscape in Djibouti is once again turning the spotlight onto its long-serving president. Ismail Omar Guelleh, who is 77, is preparing to join a growing list of veteran African leaders seeking to extend their time in office as he looks toward a sixth presidential term.
He has been the president of this strategically vital Horn of Africa nation since 1999.
President Guelleh, often referred to by his initials IOG, first took office in 1999. He succeeded his uncle, Hassan Gouled Aptidon, who had been the country’s leader since it gained independence from France in 1977.
In the first Election, Guelleh won his first election with 74.02% of the votes.
And in 2010, he oversaw constitutional amendments that scrapped presidential term limits. At the same time, the length of each presidential term was reduced from six years to five.
He has been re-elected four times since his first win. in 2005, 2011, 2016, and most recently in 2021.
President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, left, poses for a photo with U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates before sitting down to security discussions at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., May 20, 2010. (DoD photo by R.D. Ward/Released)
A key recent development has cleared the path for the current president to run again. Djibouti’s constitution previously set an age limit of 75 for presidential candidates.
In late October 2025, the country’s parliament voted unanimously to remove this constitutional age ceiling, this move, which applies to the next election scheduled for April 2026, required final parliamentary approval.
President Guelleh turned 77 in November 2024.
The move to eliminate the age restriction has drawn both official support and swift condemnation from rights advocates.
National Assembly Speaker Dileita Mohamed Dileita argued the change was necessary for the nation’s continuity.
“This is essential for maintaining stability in a turbulent region,” the speaker said, referring to the volatile Horn of Africa.
However, critics view the change as a clear step toward presidency for life and an erosion of democratic principles.
Omar Ali Ewado, who heads the Djiboutian League for Human Rights, called for an orderly change of leadership.
“This revision prepares a presidency for life. We call instead for a peaceful democratic transition,” he stated.
Despite its small size, Djibouti holds a unique and crucial position on the world stage due to its geography. Located at the mouth of the Red Sea, its port is a vital link for international trade and shipping.
The country hosts major foreign military bases, including those from The United States, France, China, Japan and Italy.
This military presence underscores Djibouti’s critical role in global security and regional stability, a factor that influences the perspective of international partners on its political affairs.
President Guelleh joins a group of African leaders who have remained in power for decades, often by modifying their country’s political systems:
Paul Biya(92) of Cameroon who ruled for 43 years, he has brrn in power since 1982 and he has been recently re-elected for an eighth term in October 2025. He is the oldest head of state in the world, and the constitutional changes in 2008 scrapped term limits.
Yoweri Museveni(81) of Uganda who has been in power since 1986 and has ruled for 39 years and he is expected to seek re-election in early 2026, which could extend his rule to nearly half a century.
Alassane Ouattara(83) of Ivory Coast, who has been in power since 2011 and successfully sought a third term in 2020 and was recently re-elected for a fourth term in late 2025. The constitutional court ruled a 2016 constitution effectively reset term limits.
These long-serving presidencies are a defining feature of the political landscape in several African nations, often prompting debate between calls for stability and demands for democratic change and generational transition.
