Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, Somaliland’s opposition leader, was elected president of the breakaway region of Somalia, local media reported on Tuesday.
Abdullahi, also known as Irro, of the Waddani party won nearly 64 per cent of the vote, beating incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi of the Kulmiye party, Somaliland’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) said on Tuesday, according to local media.
The opposition party campaigned on a platform of democratic reforms and social cohesion. They promised to turn around the economy and address youth unemployment.
President Muse Bihi Abdi of the ruling Kulmiye party, seeking a second term after seven years in power, came second with just over 30 per cent. During his rule, he pushed for international recognition of Somaliland.
The election was held on November 13 under international observation. Some European diplomats made careless judgements when commenting on the vote, for which, for example, the Danish ambassador was summoned to the Somali Foreign Ministry for an explanation.
Elections have been postponed twice since 2022 due to lack of funding and other reasons.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 amidst the eruption of conflict, has maintained its own government, currency and security structures despite the lack of international recognition. Over the years, the region has developed a stable political environment in stark contrast to Somalia’s security challenges.
Somaliland’s latest agreement with neighbouring Ethiopia, giving it access to the Indian Ocean in exchange for recognition, has caused political tensions with Somalia, which accuses Ethiopia of undermining its territorial integrity.
