Abdirahman Mohammed Abdulahi, leader of Somaliland's opposition Wadani Party, has won the presidential elections, defeating incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi.
Abdirahman earned 64% of the vote, with 407,908 ballots cast in his favor, compared to President Bihi's 35%, which amounted to 225,519 votes.
According to the Somaliland National Electoral Commission (SNEC), led by Musa Hassan, Faysal Ali of the Union for Integration and Development (UID) Party trailed significantly with just 4,699 votes.
Abdirahman’s win is seen as a pivotal moment in Somaliland’s political landscape, signaling a push for change after President Bihi's extended tenure. Bihi assumed office in 2017 and served two years beyond his official term, sparking widespread dissatisfaction and calls for leadership renewal.
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The election highlights Somaliland's reputation for democratic stability. Despite being a self-declared independent state that separated from Somalia over 30 years ago, Somaliland continues to demonstrate peaceful political transitions.
However, the region still faces challenges in gaining international recognition, as most countries regard it as part of Somalia.
In his victory speech, Abdirahman pledged to focus on national unity, economic growth, and intensifying efforts to secure international recognition. His election is viewed as a step toward political reform and renewal, promising a fresh direction for the self-declared republic.
