Djibouti lifts presidential age limit, paving way for sixth Guelleh term

"Djibouti's parliament has removed the constitutional age ceiling for presidential candidates, opening the door for Ismail Omar Guelleh to seek a sixth term despite being 77 years old. All 65 lawmakers present voted on Sunday to eliminate the age restriction of 75 years, a move that would allow the veteran leader to contest elections scheduled for April 2026. The decision requires either presidential approval followed by a second parliamentary vote on November 2, or a national referendum."

"Guelleh, known widely as IOG, has governed the Horn of Africa nation since 1999, when he succeeded Hassan Gouled Aptidon, the country's founding president. The constitutional barrier was introduced by Guelleh himself in 2010 alongside reforms that scrapped presidential term limits, but reduced each term from six to five years. National Assembly Speaker Dileita Mohamed Dileita defended the change as essential for maintaining stability in a turbulent region."

"Guelleh gave an important indication that he had no plans to relinquish power. All I can tell you is that I love my country too much to embark on an irresponsible adventure and be the cause of divisions, he said. Rights advocates condemned the move as a step toward permanent rule. This revision prepares a presidency for life, said Omar Ali Ewado, who heads the Djiboutian League for Human Rights, calling instead for a peaceful democratic transition."

Parliament voted unanimously to remove the constitutional age ceiling of 75 for presidential candidates, with all 65 lawmakers present approving the change. The amendment would permit 77-year-old Ismail Omar Guelleh to seek a sixth term in elections scheduled for April 2026. The revision requires either presidential approval followed by a second parliamentary vote on November 2 or a national referendum to take effect. Guelleh has led the country since 1999 and previously introduced the age barrier in 2010 while abolishing presidential term limits and shortening terms from six to five years. National Assembly leadership framed the change as necessary for regional stability, while rights groups warned it prepares a presidency for life and called for democratic transition.

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