importance. djibouti is home to less than one million people, but its location at the gateway to the red sea has attracted the u.s., france, and china as a prime location for military bases. today voters head to the polls for a presidential election, and the country's leader is expected to extend his 17 year rule. here is our correspondent with more. >> they may live in one of the int important shipping ports africa. but 87% of the residents in djibouti live below the poverty line. >> there are lots of things to include -- to improve. the high cost of living. electricity costs too much. it would be good to have an equal distribution of wealth among the people. >> many feel that the presidential elections are not going to change a thing. foreign investments will not trickle down. especially under president ismail omar guelleh. >> we want a complete change.