Djibouti: the opposition wants to block a possible 5th term of President Guelleh
The Djiboutian opposition wants to form a united front against a possible new mandate of President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh (illustrative image) Eric FEFERBERG / AFP
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3 min
The opposition is trying to organize itself to block a possible candidacy of President Ismaël Omar Guelleh, in the election next April.
The USN coalition, which brings together several parties, made its political comeback on Friday, September 25, bringing together its main officials.
The slogan: “No to a 5th term”.
The movement rejects the configuration of the future electoral process.
For that, he prepares actions.
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With our correspondent in Nairobi,
Sébastien Németh
Seven months before the presidential election, the USN is already talking about an
“
looming electoral masquerade
”
.
The president of the coalition is certain, Ismaël Omar Guelleh will be a candidate for his own succession.
Even if he does not say it himself, "
he makes those around him say it, to make people believe that they are asking for him,
" says Adan Mohamed Abdou.
However, the USN does
not
want a
5th term
, but a transition, led by a new government, with deep institutional reforms.
Adan Mohamed Abdou lists a series of demands for free elections, starting with an overhaul of the Electoral Commission.
And if nothing changes, it will be a boycott of the ballot.
The USN also intends to make itself heard in the streets, by organizing meetings and demonstrations.
Even if the last attempts were unsuccessful.
“
Each time, the streets are crisscrossed by the security forces.
People are afraid of being shot
, ”explains the boss of the coalition.
Actions should therefore begin discreetly in the neighborhoods, hoping to parade on the main arteries.
The movement is in contact with other parties to act in concert.
The president of RADDE, for example, is not against joint actions, although no formal alliance exists for the moment.
"
We are not closing the door, because pooling resources would be welcome, but for the moment we are applying our strategy
", indicates Abdourahman Mohamed Guelleh.
On Wednesday, the RADDE seized the UN, the European Union and the OIF to also denounce the flaws and dysfunctions of the electoral process.
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