Somaliland Opposition Leader Secures Presidency in Landmark Election
Opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi won Somaliland’s recent presidential election, the electoral commission announced on Tuesday. Abdullahi of the Waddani Party received over 50% of the total vote, defeating incumbent Muse Bihi Abdi who received just over 30% . Abdi is seeking re-election after seven years in office. The election, postponed twice since 2022 due to funding challenges, marks a major political shift in the Horn of Africa region. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has its own government and currency. However, Mogadishu claims that it remains part of Somalia. Recently, Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding with Addis Ababa under which Ethiopia will recognize Hargeisa’s sovereignty in exchange for access to the Indian Ocean. The deal puts Ethiopia at odds with Somalia, which sees the deal as a threat to its territorial sovereignty.
source: AP News
