Ankara: Djibouti hosts French, American, and Chinese military bases and controls access to the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait. As the nation heads to the polls on Friday, incumbent President Ismail Omar Guelleh seeks a sixth term in office, potentially extending his 26-year leadership over this strategically significant Horn of Africa country.

According to Anadolu Agency, the election presents little challenge to Guelleh from opposition candidate Mohamed Farah Samatar and his Unified Democratic Center (UDC) party. The ruling People’s Rally for Progress (RPP), in power since independence in 1977, remains dominant. Last year, Djibouti’s parliament amended the Constitution, removing the age limit for presidential candidates, thus enabling the 78-year-old Guelleh to run once more.

Djibouti’s strategic importance cannot be understated. With a population of just over one million, it is located at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments and commercial shipping between Europe and Asia. Abdurahman Sheikh Azhari, a regional expert, highlighted Djibouti’s leadership role within the African Union, attributing its significance to its geographical positioning. He noted, however, that potential regional competitors like Yemen and Somalia remain institutionally fragile, offering Djibouti a strategic advantage.

The presence of foreign military bases in Djibouti, including those from France, the US, Japan, and China, underscores its global importance. Azhari, who heads Wargelin Analytica, explained that these nations view Djibouti as a key strategic hub for securing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and supporting counterterrorism operations across East Africa. This concentration of military presence limits external political interference in Djibouti’s domestic affairs, with Western nations generally avoiding sensitive topics like governance and human rights to maintain strategic stability.

Despite its small size, Djibouti plays a significant role in regional security. It contributes to African Union peacekeeping efforts, with troops stationed in Somalia’s Hiraan region to combat al-Shabaab. Additionally, Djibouti maintains close military relations with Trkiye, having signed a cooperation agreement at the International Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul last year.