Mass Rally in Balbala Draws Large Crowd for President Guelleh’s Campaign

Djibouti, April 12, 2026 - The campaign of incumbent President and candidate Ismail Omar Guelleh continued to mobilize large crowds over the weekend, with organizers reporting more than 30,000 attendees at a major rally in the Balbala district on the outskirts of the capital.

Held in Oumou Salama, the event marked one of the penultimate campaign gatherings ahead of the April 10 presidential election. Supporters, many dressed in green-the color associated with the ruling political camp-gathered from the afternoon, waving flags, posters, and portraits of the candidate in a highly energized atmosphere.

As the crowd grew into the evening, campaign songs and announcements filled the venue while security personnel managed the dense turnout. Supporters described the gathering as a demonstration of popular backing for the incumbent president, with chants and slogans echoing across the site.

Addressing the crowd, President Guelleh described the turnout as “a human tide,” saying it reflected strong public support for his program. “Balbala is sending a strong message today,” he told supporters.

The rally forms part of an intensified final phase of campaigning, with both the ruling camp and opposition efforts seeking to demonstrate their mobilization capacity in the capital and surrounding districts.

On April 7, the president also attended the final of a football tournament organized in support of his candidacy at the Hassan Gouled Stadium in Djibouti City. The event, which brought together 36 teams across multiple categories, concluded with the Republican Guard team defeating the National Gendarmerie team on penalties.

The stadium, with a capacity of around 10,000 seats, was filled to capacity according to organizers, with families and supporters attending in a festive atmosphere.

At the closing ceremony, President Guelleh presented trophies and awards, including cash prizes and vehicles for outstanding players. Senior officials in attendance included Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed and National Assembly President Dileita Mohamed Dileita.