Wadani Party Candidate, Abdirahman Irro, has defeated his opponent from the Kulmiye Party, Muse Bihi, in the just concluded Somaliland Elections.
- Irro garnered over 60% of the votes casted in the elections, promising to unite Somaliland and intensify the clamor for international recognition of their autonomy.
- The breakaway region with its capital in Hargeisa organised the polls last week after a two-year delay of the electoral exercise due to a financial shortage.
- The Somaliland National Electoral Commission (NEC) announced on Tuesday that Bihi’s attempt to seek a second-term as president was thwarted after trailing his fiercest opponent with just about 35% of the vote.
Somaliland has a population of about six million people. It declared independence in 1991 but it is not regarded as an independent country by the international community. This is despite having its own flag, security apparatus, currency, and a stable political environment compared to other constituent regions of Somalia.
The breakaway region has been subject for intense geopolitical tension in the Eastern Africa region after signing a deal with Ethiopia this year. The deal was intended to accord Ethiopia exclusive access to Somaliland’s ports, much to the ire of the greater Somalian government and Northern Kenya MPs.
In response, Somalia has forged closer relations with Ethiopia’s foes including Egypt and Eritrea. Certain Eastern regions of Somaliland such as Sool and Sanaag are also in favour of reuniting with the greater Somalia, challenging the separatists. These sentiments will compound the autonomy push and the incoming regime will need to rally these two regions back to the cause.
Irro’s incoming regime coincides with Donald Trump’s re-election to the White House, sparking renewed hope for Somaliland citizens in their pursuit to autonomy. According to Al Jazeera, Trump’s first-term administration was candid about its support for the region’s autonomy.
