Djibouti's Guelleh Extends 25-Year Rule With 98% Election Win

President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of Djibouti has won a sixth term in office. Official results from Saturday's vote show he received nearly 98 percent of ballots. This landslide victory extends his uninterrupted 25-year rule. Guelleh, 76, has led the small Horn of Africa nation since 1999. The strategic country hosts major military bases for global powers. These include the United States, China, and France. Its location by vital shipping lanes gives it international importance. Opposition groups have criticized the political climate. They argue the system limits genuine electoral competition. Guelleh's next five-year term will solidify his position as one of Africa's longest-serving leaders.