Djibouti: Tension mounts ahead of April 8 polls

A tense climate precedes the upcoming presidential election in Djibouti.

Incumbent President Ismail Guelleh will be seeking a fourth term in the presidential election to be held on April 8.

Djibouti has been in a state of emergency since November 2015 and the opposition has called for a boycott of the election.

According to the opposition, efforts to amend the Independent National Electoral Commission have not been effective.

Djibouti’s government has dismissed the allegations.

“In the ruling party we believe we have fulfilled our share of duty by giving our our opinion on the electoral commission . We have also accepted all other conditions requested by the opposition. Now if both parties are serious and reliable there must not be any political problems among us. Let the opposition present their candidates so that we meet in the field,” Ismail Omar Guelleh said.

During the 2011 election, Ismail Guelleh grabbed 80% of the votes cast amidst claims of irregularities from the opposition.

President Guelleh took over from his uncle Hassan Gouled Aptidon in 1999.

Gouled Aptidon had ruled Djibouti since independence from France in 1977.