Djibouti is set to hold its presidential election on April 10, 2026, as a regional team of observers from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development monitors the process across the country to assess how the vote is conducted from start to finish.
A 17-member Election Observation Mission deployed by IGAD has arrived in Djibouti City ahead of the poll, with former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome leading the team. The observers will track key stages of voting, including the opening of polling stations, voting procedures, closing, and the counting of ballots across different regions.
In a statement issued on April 7, 2026, IGAD confirmed the deployment, noting that the mission was invited by the Government of Djibouti and the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI). The regional bloc said the exercise is part of its broader efforts to support credible and transparent elections within its member states.
“The IGAD EOM is led by H.E Mulatu Teshome (PhD), a former President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and comprises 17 Short-Term Observers (STOs) from Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda,” the statement said.
IGAD explained that the observers have been drawn from a range of institutions, including election management bodies, civil society organisations and youth groups, representing a mix of regional perspectives in the monitoring process. The team is expected to be deployed across all regions of Djibouti to observe election day activities.
“The observers will be deployed across all regions of Djibouti to monitor election day procedures, including the opening of the polls, voting, closing, and counting at polling stations,” the organisation stated.
The mission will evaluate the election based on Djibouti’s legal framework as well as regional and international benchmarks. These include the IGAD Draft Protocol on Democracy, Governance and Elections, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the International Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.
Beyond observing polling day operations, the mission will engage a wide range of stakeholders involved in the electoral process. These include government institutions, political parties, the media, civil society organisations, representatives of the diplomatic community in Djibouti, and other election observation missions present in the country.
“The Mission will engage with the state authorities of Djibouti, including the Ministry of Interior, the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), political parties, the media, civil society organisations, representatives of the diplomatic community based in Djibouti, and other election observation missions,” IGAD said.
The bloc noted that such engagements are intended to help the mission build a clear understanding of the electoral environment and ensure its assessment reflects input from different stakeholders.
Following the vote, IGAD said the mission will release its preliminary findings within two days. “The Mission will release a Preliminary Statement of its overall findings and assessment of the conduct of the election on April 12, 2026 at a Press Conference at the Mission’s Secretariat located at the Kempinski Hotel, Djibouti,” the statement said.
A comprehensive final report will be published later, providing a detailed evaluation of the entire electoral process. “A final report will be issued within one month of the announcement of the final election results,” IGAD added.
The deployment underscores IGAD’s continued role in supporting democratic processes and promoting electoral integrity across its member states.