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Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh seeks fourth term Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh seeks fourth term
(about 13 hours later)
Polls have opened in Djibouti's presidential election where incumbent Ismail Omar Guelleh is running for a fourth term against a weak opposition. Djibouti has held its presidential election, with incumbent Ismail Omar Guelleh running for a fourth term against a weak opposition.
Mr Guelleh has been in power since 1999 and has been criticised for his tight grip on power.Mr Guelleh has been in power since 1999 and has been criticised for his tight grip on power.
He is facing five challengers but the opposition complain of police brutality and media bias.He is facing five challengers but the opposition complain of police brutality and media bias.
Djibouti's strategic position on the Gulf of Aden means that it is home to US and French military bases.Djibouti's strategic position on the Gulf of Aden means that it is home to US and French military bases.
The country is also seen as relatively stable in a region which includes Somalia, where the government does not control the whole country, and Yemen, where there is a civil war.The country is also seen as relatively stable in a region which includes Somalia, where the government does not control the whole country, and Yemen, where there is a civil war.
Some observers say that this explains the muted criticism of President Guelleh from the West.Some observers say that this explains the muted criticism of President Guelleh from the West.
More on this and other African news storiesMore on this and other African news stories
Djibouti election: What you need to knowDjibouti election: What you need to know
Djibouti’s thin-skinned democracyDjibouti’s thin-skinned democracy
Polls opened at 0600 local time (0300 GMT), but voting got off to a slow start, the AFP news agency reports, with few of the country's 180,000 voters turning up early. Polls opened at 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT), but voting got off to a slow start, the AFP news agency reports, with few of the country's 180,000 voters turning up early.
The result could be known as early as Friday evening, AFP says. The electoral commission extended polling by an hour to 16:00 GMT.
The result could be known later on Friday evening, AFP says.
The opposition are angry that the president rescinded his earlier decision not to seek a fourth term.The opposition are angry that the president rescinded his earlier decision not to seek a fourth term.
His main rival, representing the opposition Union for National Salvation (USN) coalition, is Omar Elmi Kaireh, a Djibouti independence hero.His main rival, representing the opposition Union for National Salvation (USN) coalition, is Omar Elmi Kaireh, a Djibouti independence hero.
But another candidate, Mohamed Daoud Chehem, is from a USN splinter group, highlighting the fractured nature of the opposition.But another candidate, Mohamed Daoud Chehem, is from a USN splinter group, highlighting the fractured nature of the opposition.
Some other opposition parties are boycotting the poll.Some other opposition parties are boycotting the poll.