Opposition leader, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, has won Somaliland’s recent presidential election, the electoral commission announced on Tuesday. Abdullahi, of the Waddani Party, secured over 50% of the total votes cast, defeating incumbent Muse Bihi Abdi, who garnered just over 30%. Abdi was seeking reelection after seven years in office. The election, postponed twice since 2022 due to funding challenges, marks a significant political shift in the Horn of Africa region. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, operates with its own government and currency. However, Mogadishu claims it is still a part of Somalia. Recently, Somaliland signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Addis Ababa that will see Ethiopia recognize Hargeisa’s sovereignty in exchange for access to the Indian Ocean. This agreement has put Ethiopia at odds with Somalia, which views the deal as a threat to its territorial sovereignty.
SOURCE: AP NEWS