President Paul Kagame has congratulated Ismaïl Omar Guelleh on his re-election, reaffirming Rwanda’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation.
In a message shared on X on April 12, 2026, Kagame said he held a telephone conversation with Guelleh, commending him for securing another term at the helm of Djibouti.
Kagame emphasized the importance of sustaining and strengthening existing ties between the two nations, noting that Rwanda remains ready to enhance cooperation for mutual benefit and broader development.
Guelleh, 78, was re-elected in polls held on April 10, 2026, winning 97.81 percent of the vote against his challenger, Mohamed Farah Samatar, who secured 2.19 percent. His latest victory extends his tenure to nearly three decades, having first assumed office in 1999.
Rwanda and Djibouti enjoy longstanding relations anchored in strategic sectors including technology, health, transport, energy, security and justice.
In a sign of deepening economic cooperation, Djibouti allocated 40 hectares of land to Rwanda in the Djibouti port area to facilitate access to the Red Sea trade corridor. In reciprocity, Rwanda provided 10 hectares in the Masoro Industrial Zone in Gasabo District to support Djibouti’s commercial investments.
