The United States on Tuesday commended the Djiboutian people for peacefully exercising their right to vote in their country’s presidential election on Friday.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mark Toner, Deputy Spokesperson, U.S. State Department in Washington.

It said that while elections were an integral component of all democratic societies, democracy was also built on the foundation of rule of law, civil liberties, and open political discourse between all stakeholders.

The statement encouraged the government of Djibouti to support the freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, and expression for all of Djibouti citizens.

The statement said that U.S. had a strong partnership with Djibouti.

“We look forward to advancing our shared interests and helping Djiboutians to build a more prosperous, secure and democratic future,” it said.

The U.S. also acknowledged the recommendations released by Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union, and others and the recommendations by the African Union on improving future electoral processes in Djibouti.

It expressed the hoped to work with the Djibouti Government to advance the recommendations