Djibouti president criticises 'violent' opposition

Guellah vows to defend hi good record of development, accuses opposition of choosing path of violence.

Middle East Online

Guelleh has been in power since 1999 DJIBOUTI - Djibouti's President Ismael Omar Guelleh, who is seeking a third term in April elections, accused the opposition Monday of choosing the path of violence. "The opposition in Djibouti has no vision for the country and is resorting to violence which has caused bloodshed and loss of property," the tiny Horn of African nation's leader said. "If they had a national agenda, I would look at it and see if there can be any constructive dialogue and ideas for me to adopt," he said. Guelleh has been in power since 1999 and last year had the constitution amended to allow him to seek another six-year term in office in presidential elections slated for April 8. The opposition has slammed the move as illegal but Guelleh and his regime insist they are legitimate. On February 18, opposition protestors, most of them students, staged unprecedented demonstrations demanding regime change and echoing the wave of discontent sweeping the Arab world and its long-standing leaders. The protest spiralled into clashes between demonstrators and police which saw at least two people killed, buildings reduced to ashes and the country's top opposition leaders briefly detained. "The opposition is authorised to demonstrate freely, as stipulated by our laws, but they are not allowed to sow destruction and mayhem," Guelleh said. "I have a good record of bringing development to Djibouti and I will defend those achievements. The armed forces of Djibouti will not tolerate any damage to the property of those who live in Djibouti."