Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, the opponent of President Muse Bihi, emerged victorious in the elections conducted by Somaliland, a Defacto state that has proclaimed its independence.

Somaliland’s former foreign minister, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, declared his election victory during a press conference organized by the nation’s electoral commission in Hargeisa, the capital.

The election results show that presidential candidate Abdirahman has won with 63.92 percent of the votes, while the incumbent president, Muse Bihi Abdi from the Kulmiye party, garnered 34.81 percent. Faisal Ali Warabe, representing the Justice and Development Party, received 0.74 percent of the votes.

President-elect Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, having served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives for 12 years, has pledged to strive for his country’s international recognition.

He pledged to revisit the unsuccessful negotiations with the Somali government concerning independence and to engage in discussions with Somalia if he were elected. When questioned about the memorandum of understanding his country signed with Ethiopia, Abdirahman stated that Somaliland possesses the authority to form bilateral agreements with any nation.

It is remembered that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi, securing a 20-kilometer stretch of coastline and agreeing to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state.

Somaliland, which has been seeking international recognition for 33 years, made gaining recognition as a country a focal point of this year’s elections.

Muse Bihi, elected as president in 2017, pledged during his campaign to sustain the agreement with Ethiopia and achieve recognition for his country. He was assured to his supporters that Somaliland is prepared to enact the agreement, pending the Ethiopian government’s fulfillment of its obligations. “Ethiopia seeks a maritime gateway, while we seek recognition; our agreement hinges on these mutual needs,” he stated in a recent interview.

Faisal Ali Warabe, the presidential candidate of the Justice and Development Party, had promised to work for recognition by forming a national unity government in his campaign.

The memorandum of understanding signed by Ethiopia with Somaliland, a self-declared independent state not internationally recognized, for a 20-kilometer stretch of coastline, has significantly angered Somalia and heightened tensions in the region.

Somalia, viewing Somaliland as part of its territory, has escalated the matter to the United Nations Security Council. This follows Ethiopia’s announcement of plans to establish a naval base in the region and its subsequent recognition of Somaliland.