Somaliland Votes Amid Hopes for International Recognition

Somaliland voters participated in a presidential election as the region aims for international recognition. The strategic territory declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but lacks recognition. A prospective deal with Ethiopia could bolster Somaliland's diplomatic standing, while hopes rest on U.S. policy shifts under President-elect Donald Trump.

Voters in Somaliland flocked to the polls on Wednesday, seeking to elect a president amid aspirations for international recognition. The strategically located breakaway region declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognized globally, hindering its access to international finance and mobility for its six million residents.

Amid hopes for change, the government eyes a significant diplomatic pact with landlocked Ethiopia, potentially exchanging coastal land for formal recognition. As President Muse Bihi Abdi seeks re-election, opposition candidate Abdirahman Cirro challenges his tenure, extended by lawmakers two years beyond a 2022 election schedule.

The electoral process ran smoothly, with most polling stations closing without major issues. Optimism grows as Somaliland watches U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's administration for potential shifts in Washington's long-standing Somali policy, which may bolster Somaliland's push for sovereignty recognition.

(With inputs from agencies.)