Voters in Somaliland took part in a landmark presidential election on Tuesday, which could significantly influence the political trajectory of the self-declared Somaliland. Incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi of the ruling Kulmiye Party, opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro of the Waddani Party, and Faisal Ali Warabe of the UCID Party were the main candidates vying for the presidency. Beyond choosing their leader, this election also aims to solidify recognition of Somaliland’s three primary political parties for the next ten years.
Many Somalilanders expressed pride in the democratic process. Amaal Abdi Askar, a Hargeisa resident, spoke of her satisfaction after casting her vote alongside her family. There was also an enhanced effort to make voting more accessible to citizens with disabilities, supported by the Somaliland Disability Association in coordination with the electoral commission.
One critical issue in the election is the recent “Acces to Sea for Recognisition” agreement signed in January between Somaliland and Ethiopia. The deal, struck by President Abdi and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, allows Ethiopia to use Somaliland’s Berbera Port while Ethiopia considers supporting Somaliland’s bid for independence. The Somaliland administration sees this as a potential step toward international recognition, though Somalia has condemned the move, citing it as a violation of its sovereignty. Egypt and Türkiye have also responded, supporting Somalia’s stance on the matter citing international Law.
As voting concluded at 6 p.m., the Somaliland Electoral Commission stated that preliminary results should emerge within 48 hours, with final tallies expected in a week. Analysts predict that the port agreement will remain a focal issue due to its economic and strategic importance, regardless of who wins the presidency. Currently, the ballot counting is underway, and preliminary, unofficial results indicate a close race between the Waddani and Kulmiye parties for the leading positions, while UCID is anticipated to place third. The commission advised against placing weight on these unofficial results, with official results expected on November 21, in line with Somaliland’s tradition of announcing results seven days post-election.
