Somaliland's Quest for Recognition: A Pivotal Presidential Election

Somaliland voters head to the polls to elect a president. This pivotal election may facilitate Somaliland's quest for international recognition following decades of de facto self-rule. Both candidates express support for a memorandum with Ethiopia, which could potentially alter regional alliances and impact U.S. diplomatic perspectives.

Voters are heading to the polls in Somaliland as the breakaway region eyes international recognition after over three decades of self-rule. With its strategic location near the Red Sea, Somaliland's political moves are being closely observed globally.

The vote pits incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi against opposition candidate Abdirahman Cirro, with both sides backing a preliminary agreement with Ethiopia that might open diplomatic doors. Lawmakers extended Bihi's term, delaying the election originally slated for last year.

Somaliland hopes the election will boost its democratic credentials and alter U.S. policy towards recognizing its sovereignty. The potential deal with Ethiopia has already affected relations in the Horn of Africa, signaling regional tensions.

(With inputs from agencies.)