Djibouti Removes Presidential Age Limit, Clearing Path for Leader’s Sixth Term
DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti – In a move that echoes political maneuvers across Africa, Djibouti’s parliament voted unanimously on Saturday, October 26, to eliminate the presidential age limit from the constitution, allowing long-serving leader Ismail Omar Guelleh to seek a sixth term in 2026.
The constitutional amendment removes the 75-year age cap that would have barred the 77-year-old president from running again. Guelleh, who has ruled the strategic Horn of Africa nation since 1999, previously oversaw the removal of presidential term limits in 2010.
The development mirrors similar constitutional changes elsewhere on the continent. Most notably, Uganda amended its constitution in 2017 to remove age restrictions, allowing then 75-year-old President Yoweri Museveni to run again in 2021. Museveni is now set to extend his nearly four-decade rule by seeking what would be a record ninth term in elections scheduled for January 12, 2026.
Despite its small population of approximately one million, Djibouti punches above its weight geopolitically. Strategically positioned on the Gulf of Aden, the country hosts major military bases for the United States, France, and China, making it a significant player in regional security and international affairs.
The constitutional change comes as Djibouti continues to grapple with high poverty rates, despite revenues from foreign military presence and its status as a major commercial port. With the age barrier now removed, President Guelleh is positioned to extend his 26-year rule in the April 2026 presidential election.
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