Ismail Omar Guelleh
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| Ismail Omar Guelleh | |
 Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh shake hands at the Presidential residence in Djibouti |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office May 8, 1999 |
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| Preceded by | Hassan Gouled Aptidon |
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| Succeeded by | Incumbent |
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| Born | November 27, 1947 Dire Dawa, Ethiopia |
| Political party | People's Rally for Progress |
| Spouse | ? |
Ismaïl Omar Guelleh (Somali: Ismaaciil Cumar Geelle. Arabic: اسماعيل عُمر جليه) (born November 27, 1947 in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia[1]) is the second president of Djibouti. He succeeded his uncle, Hassan Gouled Aptidon, in 1999.
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[edit] Background
In the late 1960s, Guelleh migrated to Djibouti before finishing high school. He later joined the police, becoming a junior non-commissioned officer. After Djibouti became independent, he became head of the secret police and chief of the cabinet in the government of Hassan Gouled Aptidon. He received training from the Somali National Security Service and then from the French Secret Service, and was intended to become his uncle's successor. "The key to Guelleh's success is the skillful way in which he has played the cards in his strong hand", according to PINR. "As the head of Djibouti's security agency under his uncle's regime, Guelleh gained an intimate knowledge of the country's political forces and has used it to practice a politics of divide and rule, supplemented by repression and intimidation when expedient."[1]
[edit] Elected president in April, 1999
Guelleh won the presidential election of April 1999 with 74% of the vote and took office on May 8.[2]
In December 2000 he sacked the chief of staff of the National Police Force, Yacin Yabeh, who shortly afterward unsuccessfully attempted a coup.[3]
He was the only candidate in the presidential election in Djibouti held on April 8, 2005.[4] Without a challenger, he won 100% of the ballots cast and was sworn in for a second six-year term, which he said will be his last, on May 7.[5]
[edit] See also
- (French) Bernard Borrel
- Heads of State of Djibouti
- Politics of Djibouti
- Radio France Internationale (RFI)'s censored interview about judge Bernard Borrel's 1995 suspicious death
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Reality Check On Ismail Omar Guelleh", Somaliland Times, Issue 211, 4 February 2006.
- ^ Elections in Djibouti, African Elections Database.
- ^ "Witnesses describe “coup attempt”", IRIN, December 8, 2000.
- ^ "No challengers for Guelleh as presidential campaign kicks off", IRIN, March 29, 2005.
- ^ "Guelleh sworn in for second presidential term", IRIN, May 9, 2005.
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| Preceded by Hassan Gouled Aptidon |
President of Djibouti 1999–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Presidents of Djibouti |  |
|---|---|
| Hassan Gouled Aptidon • Ismail Omar Guelleh |
