Djibouti’s Parliament on Sunday unanimously voted to remove the presidential age limit, paving the way for 77-year-old President Ismail Omar Guelleh to extend his more than two-decade rule by running for a sixth term in 2026.

The constitutional amendment, adopted during a special parliamentary session, eliminates a clause that barred candidates over 75 from contesting the presidency.

Up to now, the constitution of Djibouti limited the possibility of running for president to those of no more than 75 years.

But on Sunday, all 65 lawmakers in the country's parliament voted to remove the limit, effectively allowing Guelleh, who is currently 77, to run again in April.

The vote still needs to be approved by the president himself, following which, it will be confirmed by another vote in early November.

Parliament Speaker Dileita Mohamed Dileita defended the change, saying it was necessary to preserve stability in the small Horn of Africa nation and enjoyed broad public backing.

“I think more than 80 per cent of the population supports this,” he said.

Guelleh, who has led Djibouti since 1999, has yet to announce whether he will seek another term. In an interview earlier this year, he suggested that his decision would depend on what he believes is best for the country, fueling speculation that he plans to stay in power.

“All I can tell you is that I love my country too much to embark on an irresponsible adventure and be the cause of divisions,” he said.

Some contestation following the parliament's decision took place on social media. To what extent the population really objects to IOG potentially staying in power is however almost impossible to confirm, as freedom of speech and freedom of the press are severely restricted.

Djibouti’s strategic position at the mouth of the Red Sea has made it a key hub for international military powers, hosting bases for the United States, France, and China. Despite its population of just over one million, the nation commands outsized influence due to its control over access to one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.