Djibouti’s National Assembly voted unanimously on Sunday to remove the constitutional age cap for presidential candidates, effectively allowing 77-year-old President Ismail Omar Guelleh to seek a fifth term in April 2026.

The move, widely criticized by rights groups, is seen as consolidating Guelleh’s long-standing grip on power amid tight media controls and limited political opposition.

All 65 lawmakers approved the amendment, which raises the presidential retirement age from 75 and eliminates legal barriers for Guelleh, who has ruled the Horn of Africa nation since 1999. The bill now awaits presidential endorsement and a confirmatory vote expected in early November. No dissenting voices were heard during the session, reflecting the dominance of Guelleh’s RPP party and the absence of viable opposition.

Supporters framed the change as a step toward governance continuity in a volatile region. “This ensures stability and experience at the helm,” said parliamentary speaker Dileita Mohamed Dileita, a close ally of the president. Guelleh, once interior minister under his uncle Hassan Gouled Aptidon, has overseen economic growth fueled by foreign military bases—American, French, Chinese, and Japanese—stationed in Djibouti for Red Sea security operations. These bases contribute roughly $500 million annually to the country’s $3 billion economy.

However, critics warn of democratic backsliding. “This is a constitutional coup, solidifying one-man rule in a country where elections are preordained,” said Djibouti analyst Amina Abdallah. Guelleh won re-election in 2016 and 2021 with 98% of the vote amid opposition boycotts and allegations of electoral fraud.

Freedom House ranks Djibouti as “not free,” citing restrictions on press freedom and arbitrary arrests. Social media reactions were muted, with hashtags like #DjiboutiDictator reportedly suppressed under surveillance laws.

Despite its small size—just over one million people—Djibouti holds strategic importance, leasing military bases amid regional tensions involving Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Houthi rebels. Domestically, however, the country faces steep challenges: youth unemployment exceeds 50%, and 40% of the population lives in poverty, contributing to rising migration risks.

Amnesty International condemned the amendment, warning of “democratic erosion” as Guelleh eyes a potential sixth term in 2031.