Somaliland opposition leader wins presidential election

Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, widely known as Irro, has been elected as Somaliland’s sixth president, securing 64% of the vote in the territory’s presidential election held on November 13, 2024.

Irro, a 69-year-old former parliamentary speaker and founder of the Wadani Party, defeated incumbent President Musa Abdi Bihi, who garnered 35%.

Irro pledged to review Somaliland's controversial agreement with Ethiopia to lease a 20km coastal stretch for a naval base, a deal that has sparked tensions with Somalia.

Despite its stability and regular elections, Somaliland remains unrecognized internationally since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991.

Praised as a unifying leader, Irro will be sworn in on December 14, 2024, and has committed to maintaining ties with Taiwan, a move that previously upset China and Somalia.