Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh has appointed veteran diplomat Aden Ali Mahamade as the country's new defence minister, filling a position that had remained vacant since the death of his predecessor in July.

“President of the Republic Ismail Omar Guelleh on Thursday appointed Mr Aden Ali Mahamade as Minister of Defence through a decree with immediate effect. He previously served as Director of International Cooperation and as Djibouti’s ambassador to Eritrea,” the presidency said in an official announcement.

The position had remained vacant since the death of Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan in Paris in July, where he had been receiving medical treatment, according to the Djiboutian government.

Bourhan had served as Minister of Defence and Parliamentary Affairs since 2019, overseeing the country's defence policy and military affairs.He was retained in the defence portfolio following President Guelleh's re-election and the formation of the new 26-member cabinet.

Before taking charge of the Defence Ministry, Bourhan had also served as Djibouti's Minister of the Interior.

Diplomatic career

Djibouti's state media described Mahamade as a diplomat with extensive experience, noting that he built his career within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

He previously served as Director of International Cooperation before being appointed ambassador to Eritrea, giving him experience in international relations and regional diplomacy.

As defence minister, he will assume responsibility for overseeing the country's defence affairs and military institutions.

The appointment comes as Djibouti continues its engagement in regional security matters and maintains its strategic role in the Horn of Africa.