Somaliland opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, popularly known as Irro, has emerged victorious in the presidential election, securing 64% of the vote.
He becomes the sixth president of the self-declared republic since its 1991 breakaway from Somalia.
The 69-year-old former Speaker of Parliament defeated incumbent Musa Abdi Bihi, who garnered 35% of the vote.
One of the central issues in the election was a controversial deal to lease Ethiopia a 20km stretch of Somaliland’s coastline for 50 years to establish a naval base.
The agreement, announced on New Year’s Day, promised Somaliland recognition as an independent nation by Ethiopia, a move that has angered Somalia, which still claims Somaliland as part of its territory.
Irro has signaled a potential review of the deal, using diplomatic language that suggests a shift in approach while stopping short of outright rejection.
Located at the crossroads of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, Somaliland holds a critical strategic position.
Despite its relative stability and history of democratic elections, the territory remains unrecognized internationally, complicating its aspirations for sovereignty. Irro’s victory marks a pivotal moment for Somaliland, as it navigates its internal and external challenges while striving for international recognition.