The opposition leader of the self-declared republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, has won the territory’s presidential election.
More popularly known as Irro, he won with 64% of the vote to become Somaliland’s sixth president since it broke away from Somalia in 1991.
The 69-year-old, a former speaker of Somaliland’s parliament, beat incumbent Musa Abdi Bihi, who took 35% of the vote.
Bihi had led the breakaway region since 2017, but critics described his style as paternalistic and dismissive of public opinion at a time when economic difficulties have undermined the value of the local currency.
Diplomats from nine European countries and the US witnessed the vote on 13 November, which had originally been scheduled to take place in late 2022.
Somaliland is located in a strategic part of the world, and is seen as a gateway to the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
Despite its relative stability and regular democratic elections, it has not been recognised internationally.
Besides the economy, Somaliland’s new leader will have to grapple with the diplomatic fallout over a deal to lease landlocked Ethiopia a 20km (12-mile) section of its coastline for 50 years to set up a naval base.
As part of the agreement, announced on New Year’s Day, Somaliland expects to be recognised by Addis Ababa as an independent nation.
This has upset Somalia, which regards Somaliland as part of its territory – and it has said it views the deal as an act of aggression.
The former British protectorate of Somaliland joined the rest of Somalia on 1 July 1960.
Credit: bbc.com
