He is often referred to by his initials, IOG | Fifth term, since 2021 [ ] In June 2021, Guelleh made vaccination against COVID-19 compulsory for both citizens and foreign residents |
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His son in law, Djama Elmi Okieh, is the Minister of Health | This cleared the way for him to place his name on the ballot in |
When Guelleh was younger he attended a traditional Islamic school.
7Guelleh was re-elected in 2005, 2011, 2016 and in 2021 | " A message sent from the US Embassy in Djibouti in 2004 and published on WikiLeaks described Djibouti as "less a country than a commercial city state controlled by one man, Ismail Omar Guelleh |
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The elections were largely boycotted by the opposition amid complaints over widespread irregularities | , IRIN, May 11, 1999 |
In December 2000, Guelleh sacked the chief of staff of the National Police Force, , prompting policemen loyal to Yabeh to unsuccessfully rebel following his dismissal.