Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Cirro” was inaugurated today as the sixth president of breakaway region of Somaliland, following his landslide victory in the November 13 election with 64% of the votes. His assumption of office is a significant milestone for the self-declared state, which continues its push for international recognition.
The President of the Somali Regional State, Mustafa Mohammed, attended the ceremony with a delegation, alongside notable figures like Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister François Wu, who represented Taiwan as a special envoy. Wu met with outgoing President Muse Bihi Abdi and senior officials during his visit, emphasizing the growing partnership between Taiwan and Somaliland since 2020.
U.S. Ambassador Richard Riley and U.K. Ambassador Mike Nithavrianakis also participated in the event. Ambassador Riley conveyed a message from President Joe Biden, commending Somaliland for its democratic elections and reaffirming the United States’ friendship with Somaliland.
President Cirro’s inauguration underscores Somaliland’s steady commitment to democracy, even as it remains unrecognized by the international community since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991.