• Guelleh wins 97.81% in Djibouti vote, sixth term likely

• Turnout reaches 80.4%; opponent accepts provisional results

• Economy faces port reliance, unemployment, diversification challenges

Incumbent President Ismail Omar Guelleh won 97.81% of the vote in Djibouti’s presidential election on Friday, April 10, according to results released Sunday by the Interior Ministry. His only challenger, Mohamed Farah Samatar, leader of the Centre Démocrate Unifié (CDU), took 2.19%.

Voter turnout was estimated at 80.4%. The results are provisional and must be confirmed by the electoral authorities. If upheld, they would give Guelleh a sixth consecutive term in office. He has been in power since 1999.

After the announcement, Samatar accepted the outcome and congratulated the incumbent. He also thanked his supporters, saying their backing was central to his campaign.

Guelleh said the vote was orderly and praised voter participation, describing the election as “transparent and peaceful,” according to state media. He added that the result would give fresh momentum to the country’s development.

Economic challenges

Djibouti’s economy remains heavily reliant on port and logistics activity, reflecting its strategic location on the Red Sea. This dependence makes it vulnerable to shifts in global trade.

Port traffic fell 10.5% in the first half of 2025, driven by a drop in transshipment volumes, according to the World Bank. The decline has slowed job creation and highlighted the need to diversify the economy.

Key challenges include high unemployment, particularly among young people, and limited access to basic services in rural areas.

Under its National Development Plan 2025–2030, Djibouti aims to accelerate economic transformation, with energy and digital sectors identified as priority areas.

In March 2026, $25.75 million in financing was approved for a Program-for-Results (PforR) initiative aimed at supporting economic diversification, private sector growth and sustainable job creation.

The International Monetary Fund expects the economy to grow by 6.5% in 2025, supported by port activity and continued expansion in construction, transport, telecommunications and trade.

Over the medium term, growth is projected at around 6% from 2027, partly supported by infrastructure projects in Ethiopia expected to increase demand for Djiboutian port services.

Charlène N’dimon