Somaliland Votes for President as Hopes for Global Recognition Grow
On Wednesday, voters in Somaliland went to the polls to elect their president, marking a key moment as the region pushes for international recognition after over 30 years of self-rule, Reuters reported.
Located where the Indian Ocean meets the Red Sea, Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991. However, no country has recognized it as a separate state. This lack of recognition has made it difficult for Somaliland’s six million people to access global financial resources or travel easily, according to Reuters.
Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, is betting on a recent deal with Ethiopia to change this. In January, Somaliland signed a preliminary agreement to give Ethiopia access to its coastline in exchange for diplomatic recognition. Reuters noted that this deal, if finalized, could be a major step toward Somaliland gaining legitimacy on the world stage.
Incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi, who has led since 2017, is running for re-election against opposition candidate Abdirahman Cirro. Though their policies differ on domestic issues, both support the Ethiopia agreement. Somaliland’s representative to Kenya, Mohamed A. Mohamoud, told Reuters that the deal would be finalized no matter who wins.
The election itself highlights Somaliland’s stability. Unlike Somalia, which has faced ongoing civil war and unrest since the 1990s, Somaliland has largely remained peaceful. Reuters emphasized that the region’s competitive, multi-party elections reflect its democratic values.
Somaliland’s leaders are also optimistic about support from the United States. Reuters reported that several former U.S. officials who worked on African policies during Trump’s first term have publicly backed recognizing Somaliland. With Trump returning to the White House, Somaliland hopes his administration will reconsider the longstanding U.S. policy of recognizing Mogadishu’s control over the region.
Relations between Somaliland and Somalia have become more strained due to Somaliland’s growing ties with Ethiopia. Reuters explained that Ethiopia’s deal with Somaliland has angered Somalia, pushing it closer to Ethiopia’s regional rivals, Egypt and Eritrea.
As voting continues, President Bihi expressed hope for a peaceful election. “We pray to Allah for the election to happen democratically and peacefully,” he said after casting his vote.
Footage shared by state media showed long lines of voters patiently waiting to cast their ballots, reflecting the region’s commitment to its democratic process.
Source: Reuters