Tue Nov 19 19:24:08 UTC 2024: ## Somaliland Opposition Leader Irro Wins Presidential Election in Landslide Victory

**Hargeisa, Somaliland –** Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as Irro, leader of the Waddani Party, has been declared the winner of Somaliland’s presidential election, securing a decisive victory with nearly 64% of the vote. The Somaliland National Electoral Commission (NEC) announced the results on Tuesday, ending a closely watched race against incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi.

Irro’s win marks a significant shift in Somaliland’s political landscape. Bihi, who sought a second term, garnered approximately 35% of the vote. The election, delayed for two years due to funding shortages and other challenges, saw voters head to the polls last week.

Irro’s campaign focused on revitalizing Somaliland’s struggling economy and accelerating efforts to gain international recognition for the self-declared republic. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, maintains its own government, currency, and security forces, but lacks international recognition, hindering its access to vital international finance and limiting its citizens’ travel options.

The newly elected president’s victory comes at a critical juncture for Somaliland. The region is pursuing a potentially controversial deal with Ethiopia that would grant the latter access to the sea in exchange for an “in-depth assessment” of Somaliland’s recognition. This agreement has sparked outrage in Somalia and raised concerns about regional stability. Furthermore, Somaliland is hopeful that the incoming Trump administration may reconsider the United States’ long-standing recognition of Mogadishu’s sovereignty over Somaliland, citing support from several key US State Department officials who served under the previous Trump administration. Irro’s mandate now suggests a renewed push towards these ambitious foreign policy goals.

Read More