Somalilandsun: The opposition leader of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi – more popularly known as Irro – beat incumbent Muse Abdi Bihi with 64% of the vote in the 13 November polls.
Irro the 69-year-old president-elect of the republic of Somaliland will officially assume office on 13 December, with a reputation as a unifier and pragmatist.
His victory puts the opposition party Wadani in power after 14 years of Kulmiye rule.
Born in Hargeisa in the then-British Somaliland, Irro served as speaker of the House of Representatives from November 2005 to August 2017 when he contested for the presidency and lost to Bihi in November that year. Known for his measured and inclusive leadership style, Irro’s tenure as Speaker showcased his ability to build consensus and navigate complex political landscapes, says Khaalid Foodhadhi, a journalist and founder of Hargeisa-based digital KF Media TV.
For many Somalilanders, it is Irro’s long career as a diplomat that resonates with Somaliland’s search for recognition from the international community and strengthened ties with the West. In a stint that started in 1981 before Somaliland broke away from Somalia, he served in the foreign service of the Somali Democratic Republic – first as a consular in Moscow and then as acting ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1991. Continue readingContinue reading
