Ismail Omar Guelleh

U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh shake hands at the Presidential residence in Djibouti

Ismaïl Omar Guelleh (born November 27, 1947) is the second president of Djibouti. He succeeded his uncle, Hassan Gouled Aptidon, in 1999.

In 2000 he sacked the chief of staff of the National Police Force, Yacin Yabeh , who later attempted to launch a coup.

He was the only candidate in the presidential election in Djibouti held on April 8, 2005. [1] Without a challenger, he won 100% of the ballots cast [2]. He has said that his second six-year term will be his last.

Ismail Omar Guelleh

See also