Djiboutian President Guelleh Wins Vote, Extending 12-Year Rule

Djiboutian President Ismael Guelleh won a presidential election, extending his 12-year rule of the Horn of Africa country that hosts the only U.S. military base on the continent.

Guelleh garnered 78 percent support, compared with 22 percent for Mohamed Warsama Ragueh, his only opponent in yesterday’s vote, with 98 percent of ballots counted, Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Yousef said in a phone interview today from the capital, Djibouti City. Ragueh had warned that a Guelleh victory may lead to a “violent reaction” by opposition supporters after he alleged irregularities during voting.