Somaliland Opposition Leader Wins Presidential Election.

Presidential candidate Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, center, casts his vote inside a polling station during the presidential election in Hargeisa, Somaliland, Wednesday, Nov. 13,2024. Courtesy image.

Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, commonly known as Irro, has won the presidential election in Somaliland, a self-declared republic in the Horn of Africa.

The 69-year-old opposition leader secured 64% of the vote, defeating incumbent President Musa Abdi Bihi, who garnered 35%. Irro’s victory marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has yet to gain international recognition as a sovereign state.

Irro, a former speaker of Somaliland’s parliament, campaigned on promises of political reform and economic development. One of his key issues during the election was the controversial deal made by the outgoing administration to lease a 20km stretch of Somaliland’s coastline to landlocked Ethiopia for 50 years. This agreement, aimed at establishing a naval base, has sparked diplomatic tensions in the region, particularly with Somalia, which still considers Somaliland part of its territory. Irro has indicated that under his leadership, his government would review this deal.

The lease agreement, signed on New Year’s Day, includes a provision that Somaliland expects to be recognized as an independent nation by Ethiopia in return for granting the naval base. This move has created a rift with Somalia, which views the deal as an affront to its territorial integrity and has condemned it as an act of aggression. Although Irro has not outright rejected the deal, his diplomatic language during the campaign suggests he may adopt a more cautious approach if elected.

Somaliland remains strategically important, located near the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, making it a valuable point of access for international shipping. Despite holding regular democratic elections and maintaining a relatively stable political environment compared to much of the Horn of Africa, Somaliland has not gained formal international recognition as a sovereign nation. The region’s quest for recognition continues to be a central issue in its diplomatic efforts, especially in light of its recent dealings with Ethiopia.

Irro’s victory, therefore, represents not only a shift in domestic politics but also signals potential changes in Somaliland’s foreign policy, particularly concerning its stance on regional agreements and its pursuit of recognition on the global stage.

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