The African Union Mission to Djibouti publishes its report on the results of monitoring the 2026 presidential elections.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, on the proposal of the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adoy, dispatched the African Union Short-Term Election Observation Mission to observe and report on the presidential elections in Djibouti on April 10, 2026.

The Rwandan election monitoring commission was chaired by Bernard Makusa, the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda, and was tasked with evaluating the elections objectively and impartially.

The mission carried out its activities in accordance with the African Union’s standard instruments, in particular the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), as well as the African Union Guidelines for Election Observation Missions.

The mission consisted of 26 short-term observers from 16 member states, including: ambassadors – the permanent representatives of their countries to the African Union Commission, election management bodies, African civil society organizations, independent election experts, as well as youth representatives.

The mission held separate consultations with President Ismail Omar Guelleh, the president of the republic and candidate of the Union for the Presidential Majority party, who won a new presidential term, and with Mohamed Farah Samatar, president of the United Democratic Center party and opposition candidate. The discussions were constructive and provided the mission with valuable insights into the electoral process.

Since arriving in Djibouti, the African Election Observation Mission has engaged with key stakeholders, including government institutions, election management bodies, election candidates, civil society organizations, the African diplomatic corps and the international community, academia, as well as other international election observation missions deployed for these elections, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the League of Arab States.

General and regional context

The mission welcomed the holding of these elections in a regional context marked by ongoing security and political challenges. It noted with satisfaction that the elections took place in a calm and peaceful atmosphere, reflecting the Djiboutian people's commitment to peace, stability, national cohesion, and the protection of national institutions.

This observation underscores the Republic of Djibouti’s commitment to peace in the Horn of Africa, prioritizing dialogue, negotiation and mediation while respecting the African Union’s fundamental principles of sovereignty and non-interference.

The mission notes that the reforms undertaken as part of the electoral process, including the recent constitutional amendment, were implemented in accordance with the relevant legal provisions, following broad political consensus at the national level.

The stakeholders who were met, including public authorities, election management bodies, candidates and civil society organizations, welcomed the peaceful nature of the electoral process while reaffirming their commitment to preserving the gains of national peace and stability.

Legal framework for elections

The elections were conducted in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory instruments. The Constitution guarantees the right to direct universal suffrage and stipulates that all Djiboutian citizens aged 18 or older who enjoy full civil and political rights are eligible to vote. Articles 3 to 8 regulate the procedures for registration on the electoral register at both the national and international levels, as well as the issuance of voter cards to eligible citizens and the registration and receipt procedures.

The mission welcomed the civic and political participation of citizens and their responsible engagement in the electoral process. The participation of youth and women in this process demonstrates the progress the country has made in inclusive governance.

According to preliminary results announced by the Ministry of the Interior, the total number of registered voters on the national electoral register was 261,857. Of these, 226,552 cast their votes on election day. The number of valid votes was 222,779, reflecting a turnout of 86.521%.

The African Union Election Observation Mission monitored the final days of the election campaign across the country. Mission observers noted that the process took place in a calm and respectful atmosphere. Candidates demonstrated exemplary conduct, each focusing on highlighting the importance and benefits of their respective platforms and campaign promises. National defense and security forces ensured the smooth and unimpeded conduct of the campaign.