Somaliland: Irro Wins Presidential Election
The session decided on the succession of leadership of the country that declared itself independent in 1991
Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Irro, overwhelmingly won elections held in Somaliland region of Somalia, which self-declared itself independent in 1991.
Irro defeated incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi in the election held on November 13. Somaliland has had de facto self-government since independence and is seeking international recognition. A recognition that for the moment exists only on the part of Ethiopia, which came to conclude an agreement whereby it offered Addis Ababa access to the sea by leasing a stretch of coastline.
Irro got 64% of the vote against Bihi’s 35%, said Musa Hassan, president of Somaliland’s electoral commission, announcing the results. International observers confirmed that the voting was peaceful.
“This election is not a victory or defeat for the candidates. It was an election of unity, brotherhood, and progress for the people of Somaliland,” Irro said, as reported by Reuters.
Bihi, the outgoing leader, had a mandate of seven years instead of five because of instability linked to different clans that led to clashes in the Sool region in 2023.
