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Djibouti: a presidential election in almost general indifference

On April 9, Djiboutians will vote for their president. An election played in advance, which is of little interest both nationally and internationally.

On March 26, the sounds of trumpets and drums launched, in Tadjourah, the official campaign for a presidential election, the outcome of which few doubt. For the fifth time, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh is running for a mandate. And on April 9, he will have, in front of him, only a very weak opposition.

The only competitor, in fact, Zakaria Ismaïl Farah should not weigh very heavily. Especially since he has no political party behind him. Zakaria Ismaïl Farah is also part of this opposition controlled by the power, since it is no secret: he is close to the entourage of the current president.

An apathetic opposition

For this presidential election, "IOG" did not have much to do. In fact, he faces an opposition as weak as it is disunited. Eight years after coming together under the banner of the Union for National Salvation, a coalition supposed to put spades in the president's wheels, opponents have failed to come to an agreement: they have not presented any candidates , did not really call for a boycott and now seem to be resigned. Blessed bread for the Union for the Presidential Majority (UMP) of Ismail Omar Guelleh, who lives a rather quiet countryside.

Especially since the Djiboutian president can rely on a positive assessment. In the health, industrial or social sectors, it has gradually laid the foundations for its success.

A balance sheet that speaks for itself

So much so that even the Covid-19 pandemic did not get the better of him. The recession should be avoided in Djibouti and with a GDP multiplied by six in twenty years, the small African country has nothing to complain about its evolution.

The only concern of the local population: the situation in neighboring countries. But while Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia are set ablaze, Djibouti continues on its way.

Difficult, under these conditions, for the opposition, to advocate alternation. And if the Movement for Development and Freedom (MoDeL) speaks of "the regime's panic in the face of the disinterest" of the population for the vote of April 9, denouncing a campaign which is being played out in "simply spectacular indifference", the president should logically be widely re-elected. And quietly prepare for his sixth term.

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