Djibouti’s ruling People’s Rally for Progress (RPP) has announced plans to convene an extraordinary party congress on Saturday to select its candidate for the April 2026 presidential election, a move widely seen as paving the way for President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh to seek another term in office.
According to a party statement, the event—set to take place at the Palace of the People in Djibouti City—will bring together senior officials, delegates, and regional representatives to “define the next phase of the country’s political trajectory.” The RPP described the congress as “historic,” reflecting what it called “the will of the people.”
Constitutional changes open path for re-election
While President Guelleh, who also serves as RPP chairman, has not officially declared his candidacy, the party emphasized that recent constitutional amendments, passed after what it described as “broad national consensus,” legally allow him to run again.
The changes, analysts say, effectively removed prior limits on presidential terms and consolidated Guelleh’s ability to extend his more than two-decade tenure, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
Party officials suggested that the congress will serve as “a platform for reaffirming national unity and continuity,” hinting at a broad endorsement of Guelleh’s leadership. “The RPP’s candidate embodies stability and progress for Djibouti,” the statement added.
A leader balancing legacy and regional influence
President Guelleh, 77, has led Djibouti since 1999, overseeing a period of economic expansion anchored in the country’s strategic role as a maritime and military hub at the mouth of the Red Sea. His government has cultivated ties with global powers, hosting military bases from the United States, China, and France.
Supporters credit him with maintaining stability in a volatile region, while critics accuse his administration of curbing political freedoms and consolidating power around the ruling elite.
The party said Guelleh’s upcoming address at the congress will focus on “national dialogue, unity, and a vision for a more prosperous and stable Djibouti,” calling the event “a new chapter in the nation’s political history.”
Media outlets, both local and international, have been invited to cover the gathering, which observers expect will confirm whether the veteran leader intends to extend his rule into a sixth term.
