Djibouti's president appoints a new government including 8 women

Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh announced the formation of a new 26-member government, including eight women and a minister of state, in the first cabinet reshuffle since his re-election for a new presidential term in April 2026.

The announcement of the new government lineup came on Sunday, pursuant to a presidential decree signed by Gillet following his victory in the recent presidential elections, which he contested under the banner of the Presidential Majority Union.

Continuation of the main faces

A number of senior officials retained their key ministerial portfolios in the new government, in a move that reflects the authority's tendency to maintain stability within executive institutions.

Elias Moussa Daoulie was retained as head of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, while Abdelkader Hussein Omar took over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in addition to his duties as official spokesman for the government.

Hassan Omar Burhan retained the defense portfolio, while the Ministry of Interior was assigned to Omar Abdi Said.

prominent female presence

The new government witnessed an increase in women's representation, with seven women assuming ministerial portfolios, in addition to the appointment of a Minister of State.

Mona Othman Aden was appointed Minister of Health, after previously serving as Minister of Women and Family Affairs.

Here, Farah Aswa took over the Ministry of Women and Family Affairs, while Olufa Ismail Abdou was appointed Minister of Social Affairs and Solidarity.

The list also included Amina Abdi Aden in the Ministry of Urban Planning and Housing, Firdousa Musa Ejoh in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, Safia Mohamed Ali Gadilah in the Ministry of Digital Economy and Innovation, in addition to Mariam Hamadou Ali, who took over the Ministry of Investments and Private Sector Development.

Fatima Ali Abdullah was also appointed Minister of State for Sports.

First government after the 2026 elections

This is the first government since Guelleh won a new term in the presidential elections held on April 10, 2026.

The Djiboutian president received 97,81% of the votes, far ahead of opposition candidate Mohamed Farah Samatar, of the United Democratic Center, who received 2,19% of the votes.

A new term for a president who has ruled since 1999

Guelleh, 78, has ruled Djibouti since 1999, and his latest re-election comes after a constitutional amendment removed the age limit for presidential candidacy, allowing him to run for another term.

Observers believe that the new government lineup combines political continuity with an attempt to demonstrate greater openness by expanding women's participation in executive positions, at a time when the country is facing increasing economic and developmental challenges in the Horn of Africa region.