Voters in Somaliland flocked to the polls on Wednesday, searching for to elect a president amid worldwide aspirations. The strategically situated breakaway area declared independence from Somalia in 1991 however stays unrecognized globally, hindering its entry to worldwide finance and mobility for its six million inhabitants.
Amid hopes for change, the federal government is eyeing a landmark diplomatic pact with landlocked Ethiopia, probably swapping coastal land for official recognition. As President Muse Bihi Abdi seeks re-election, opposition candidate Abdirahman Cirro challenges his mandate, prolonged by lawmakers two years past the 2022 election schedule.
The election course of happened with out issues, the place most polling stations had been closed with out main issues. Optimism grows as Somaliland appears to the administration of US President-elect Donald Trump for potential modifications to Washington's long-standing Somali coverage that would strengthen Somaliland's push for recognition of sovereignty.
(With information from businesses.)