DJIBOUTI (SD) – Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh has placed the country’s police and military commanders Abdilahi Farah and General Zakariya Sheikh Ibrahim under house arrest.

Additional reports suggest that Boode Roble, a former Djiboutian cabinet minister, was also placed under house arrest.

The government has not yet issued an official statement as to why these officials were arrested, but reports indicate that the officers and others were arrested are suspected of plotting a military coup against President Guelleh.

Guelleh often holds elections with no strong opposition in the country, and the idea of a coup garnered widespread support in the tiny country in the Horn of Africa.

President Ismail Omar Guelleh, accused of being a dictator, ruled Djibouti for more than 22 years, and is worried about military might be used to overthrown his regime.

The presidential guard is placed on high alert and the officers are being held under house arrest.