Ismail Guelleh President of Djibouti Date of Birth: 27.11.1947 Country: Djibouti

Biography of Ismail Guelleh

Ismail Guelleh, the second President of Djibouti, has been serving as a political and state leader of the country since May 8, 1999. Born on November 27, 1947, in Ethiopia, Guelleh emigrated to Djibouti in the late 1960s even before completing his secondary education. He served in the police force and rose to the rank of junior warrant officer.

After Djibouti gained independence, Guelleh became the head of the secret police and assumed the responsibilities of the Chief of Cabinet in the government of President Hassan Gouled Aptidon. Later, he received training in the Somali National Security Service and served in the French Secret Service.

In February 1999, President Gouled Aptidon announced his intention to retire and appointed Ismail Guelleh as his successor. On April 9, 1999, as the sole representative of the People's Rally for Progress (RPP) and also a member of the Union for the Presidential Majority (UMP), Guelleh won the presidential election, defeating independent candidate Moussa Ahmed Idriss. On May 8, 1999, Ismail Guelleh assumed office, while his former opponent was soon arrested for "threatening the moral spirit of the armed forces."

In December 2000, Guelleh dismissed the Chief of the National Police Staff, which caused some discontent within its ranks, but the move was unsuccessful. On October 7, 2004, at an extraordinary Congress of the RPP, Ismail Guelleh was nominated for a second term as president. On April 8, 2005, during the presidential elections, Guelleh was unanimously supported by the participants in the electoral process and appointed as the head of state.

Currently, Ismail Guelleh is fulfilling the duties of the president and hopes that this will be his final term in office. The future will reveal how events unfold. Nevertheless, Guelleh approaches his position with a strong sense of responsibility, introducing numerous positive moments and beneficial innovations aimed at improving the welfare of the people of Djibouti.

During his free time, Guelleh prefers to spend time with his family, as there is little time for them during work hours.