Thursday, 21,Nov 2024 {HMC} Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro has been elected Somaliland’s new president, securing 64% of the vote in a landmark election praised for its transparency. His presidency begins as Somaliland faces mounting regional tensions, including strained relations with Somalia and scrutiny over a controversial agreement with Ethiopia granting access to its coastline.
Irro, leader of the opposition Waddani Party, triumphed over incumbent Muse Bihi Abdi, who secured just 35% of the vote. The November 13 election marked Somaliland’s sixth presidential transition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991. Despite delays caused by political disputes, the process was praised by international observers, including Ethiopia and the United States, as a rare beacon of democracy in the Horn of Africa.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in December 2023 between Somaliland and Ethiopia was a centrepiece of the election campaign. Under the agreement, Ethiopia would lease a 20-kilometer stretch of Somaliland’s coastline for economic and military purposes. In return, Ethiopia pledged to support Somaliland’s decades-long pursuit of international recognition.
Irro has pledged to review the MoU, emphasizing that any agreement must prioritize Somaliland’s sovereignty and development. “We will ensure that any partnership serves the interests of Somaliland,” said Mahmoud Adan Jama, Waddani Party spokesperson. Irro’s measured stance reflects his intention to balance regional cooperation with protecting Somaliland’s autonomy.
Irro will officially take office on December 13, following Somaliland’s constitutionally mandated one-month transition period. During this time, election results will be certified, disputes resolved, and preparations made for the inauguration ceremony, which traditionally draws dignitaries from East Africa and Western diplomats based in Nairobi and Mogadishu.
Source Hiiraan Online
