Somaliland Opposition Leader Wins Presidential Election

Facts

• Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as 'Irro,' the leader of the opposition Wadani Party and a former parliament speaker, has been elected president of self-governing Somaliland for the next five years. Irro is set to be sworn in on Dec. 14.^[1][2]
• He was declared the election winner after securing 63.92% of the vote to beat incumbent Muse Bihi Abdi of the Kulmiye Party and third-placed Faisal Warabe of the Justice and Welfare Party (UCID) in a poll held last week.^[2][3][1]
• On Wednesday, Bihi conceded defeat to Irro and pledged to ensure a peaceful transition of power. He further thanked his supporters and urged them to accept the outcome of the presidential election.^[4]
• Somaliland is a breakaway region of Somalia that has had its own government, currency, and institutions since declaring independence in 1991, but has yet to gain international recognition.^[5]
• Somaliland reached an agreement with landlocked Ethiopia earlier this year that would allow Ethiopia to use the Red Sea port of Berbera in exchange for an 'in-depth assessment' of Somaliland's recognition.^[6][7]
• On Tuesday, Sir Gavin Williamson, a former British cabinet member who has been the leading advocate for the recognition of Somaliland, claimed that US Pres.-elect Donald Trump will recognize the state as an official country.^[8]

Sources: ^[1]BBC News, ^[2]Mareeg, ^[3]Garowe Online, ^[4]Hiiraan, ^[5]Associated Press, ^[6]Al Jazeera, ^[7]Verity and ^[8]Independent.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Voice of America. Once in office, the president-elect of Somaliland intends to engage in dialogue with the federal government of Somalia towards reunification — and that should come as no surprise as he announced that during his campaign. Voters in Somaliland had their say, and what they said is good news for many in Mogadishu.
• Narrative B, as provided by The Conversation. If anything, this presidential election shows that democratic institutions in Somaliland are rock solid and further strengthen its quest for international recognition. Even if the president-elect and his party want to take a different approach, this by no means suggests that anyone in Somaliland is willing to give up independence.