France, April 10 -- Guelleh, 78, is set to extend his 27-year rule in a country that sits at the entrance to the Bab al-Mandab strait, one of the world's busiest shipping routes, where tensions linked to the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran have raised security concerns.

The country's strategic position has also drawn foreign military powers.

France, the United States, China, Japan and Italy all have bases there, with the US operating its only permanent base in Africa to support operations on the continent.

Just over 256,000 people are eligible to vote in the former French colony, choosing between Guelleh and Mohamed Farah Samatar, a former member of the ruling party who now leads the Unified Democratic Centre, a party ...