Djibouti Scraps Presidential Age Limit, Clearing Path for Guelleh’s Possible Sixth Term

 

By Phanice Rono 

Djibouti’s National Assembly has unanimously voted to abolish the upper age limit for presidential candidates, a move that effectively opens the door for 77-year-old President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh to seek a sixth term in office.

Until now, Djibouti’s constitution barred individuals over the age of 75 from running for president. The newly passed amendment removes that restriction altogether, marking a major shift in the country’s political landscape and potentially extending Guelleh’s more than two-decade-long rule.

Parliament Speaker Dileita Mohamed Dileita defended the decision, calling it a step toward maintaining national stability in a region he described as “volatile.” He cited ongoing conflicts and unrest in neighboring countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, arguing that continuity in leadership would help safeguard Djibouti’s internal security and development.

The constitutional change still requires formal ratification — either through the president’s signature or a public referendum — followed by a second parliamentary vote. But with Guelleh’s ruling party holding an overwhelming majority in the legislature, analysts say the amendment’s final approval is virtually guaranteed.

Critics, however, have condemned the move as another blow to democracy in the Horn of Africa nation. Opposition groups and civil society activists argue that the change further consolidates Guelleh’s power while narrowing political space in a country where dissent is already tightly restricted.

“This is not about stability; it’s about perpetuating one man’s rule,” said one opposition figure, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. “Removing the age limit only proves how little room remains for genuine political competition.”

Guelleh, who first took office in 1999 after succeeding his uncle Hassan Gouled Aptidon, has since maintained a firm grip on power, winning successive elections by wide margins amid allegations of electoral irregularities and limited press freedom. He has not yet announced whether he intends to run in the 2026 presidential race, but the constitutional change removes one of the few remaining legal barriers to another bid.

The development comes as Djibouti’s geopolitical importance continues to grow. Strategically located along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — a crucial maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean — the country hosts several foreign military bases, including those of the United States, China, and France.

As Djibouti moves closer to its 2026 election cycle, observers will be watching closely to see whether the constitutional amendment sparks new political movements or further entrenches one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders at the helm.

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