The campaign for the presidential election ends in Djbouti
Supporters of outgoing Djibouti President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh during a rally in Balbala on March 29, 2021. © AFP
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2 min
It was the last day of the electoral campaign in Djibouti this Tuesday, April 6, while the presidential election is due to be held this Friday.
Outgoing President Ismaël Omar Guelleh is a candidate for his own succession for a fifth term almost without competition, because the opposition is boycotting the ballot.
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"
We do not expect anything from this vote,
" sighs Abdourahman Mohamed Guelleh, said TX, one of the leaders of the Djiboutian democratic opposition, two days before the poll.
“
It's a non-event.
People will not vote and the regime will be rewarded with a tailor-made score
, ”he concludes.
On the power side, on the other hand, it is confidence that dominates.
"
President Guelleh will be judged on his record by the Djiboutians,"
says Daoud Houmed, the spokesperson for the presidential majority.
And we are optimistic because its record is excellent, whether in economic, safety or health terms
.
"
The campaign, however, has been rather sluggish
.
Opposition marches took place in popular neighborhoods and arrests of activists were regularly denounced, while the outgoing president's meetings were held across the country without incident.
Only one other candidate, businessman Zakaria Ismael Farah, offers an alternative ballot.
He campaigned on the fight against unemployment first, but also on a criticism centered not on the president, but on his entourage.
Which, he said, would prevent him out of greed from "
enjoying a golden, well-deserved retirement with dignity
."
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