By Abukar Osman - Reporter
Djibouti, 8 April, 2026 Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh attended the final of a national football tournament on Tuesday, a high-profile appearance just days before he seeks re-election on April 10, the Djibouti News Agency (ADI) reported.
The tournament, which featured 36 teams across elite, veteran, and youth categories, was organized as a show of support for Guelleh's candidacy.
The 10,000-seat Hassan Gouled Stadium in the capital was full as thousands of spectators gathered in a festive atmosphere to watch the final match.
The Republican Guard clinched the tournament title after defeating the National Gendarmerie in a penalty shootout, following a closely contested draw in regular time.
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President Guelleh personally presented the trophies and financial rewards, including 4 million Djibouti francs ($22,500) for the winners and 3 million francs ($16,865) for the runners-up. Individual honours, including vehicles, were awarded to the tournament’s best player and top scorer.
The President was accompanied by a delegation of senior officials, including Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed and the President of the National Assembly, Dileita Mohamed Dileita.
The event serves as a major public mobilization for Guelleh, who has been in power for over two decades. Djibouti is set to go to the polls this Friday.