By John Ikani
World leaders have taken turns to congratulate Somalia’s new President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud over his electoral victory.
He defeated the current President, Mohamed Abudallahi Farmajo, who has been in office since 2017.
The elections – which were hotly contested and went to a third round – were delayed for almost 15 months due to infighting and security issues.
The ballot was limited to Somalia’s 328 MPs due to security concerns over holding a wider election, and one of them did not cast a vote.
Mr Mohamud received 214 votes, defeating Mr Farmajo who won 110 votes.
The result marks a comeback for Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who served as Somalia’s President between 2012 and 2017 before he was defeated by Mr Farmajo.
Mr Mohamud is the first man in the country’s history to win back the presidency after being voted out of office, but he faces a daunting in-tray at the start of his second term: Somalia has been crippled by years of Islamist insurgency and is currently being ravaged by a severe drought.
“We have to move ahead, we do not need grudges. No avenging,” Mr Mohamud is quoted as saying by the Reuters news agency.
His election in a vote delayed by over a year means a $400m (£327m) aid package from the International Monetary Fund now won’t automatically expire this month.
Mr Mohamud was sworn in shortly after the final results were announced, prompting supporters in the capital to cheer and fire guns into the air. He will serve for the next four years.
The outgoing President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, has urged Somalis “to support and pray for the success” of the new president.
I congratulate the president-elect, my brother, H.E @HassanSMohamud on his election as our nation's 10th president. I urge all my fellow citizens to support & pray for his success. I would like to express my appreciation to everyone who contributed to smooth & peaceful elections.
— Mohamed Farmaajo (@M_Farmaajo) May 15, 2022
The Prime Minister of neighbouring Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, has said he looked forward to working with the new president on regional interests.
I would like to congratulate former President @HassanSMohamud on being re-elected as the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia. I look forward to working closely with you on common bilateral and regional interests.
— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) May 16, 2022
Somalia-born US congresswoman Ilhan Omar said the Somali people were all winners in the elections.
“The country needs all of you to work together as it moves forward from decades of instability,” she tweeted.
Congratulations @HassanSMohamud for winning the Presidency of Somalia and congratulations to the Somali people. You are all winners. The country needs all of you to work together as it moves forward from decades of instability. Guul iyo gobinimo aan idiin rajeynayaa ❤️#Somalia
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 15, 2022
The European Union ambassador to Somalia also tweeted her congratulations.
Congratulations to HE Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, new #president of #Somalia
— Tiina Intelmann (@TiinaIntelmann) May 15, 2022
The UK’s Minister for Africa, Vicky Ford, said she was looking forward to her government “continuing its close work to support on building stability, tackling al-Shabab and supporting those affected by the devastating drought” in Somalia.
Congratulations to @HassanSMohamud on being elected President of Somalia. 🇬🇧 looks forward to continuing its close work to support 🇸🇴 on building stability, tackling Al-Shabaab and supporting those affected by the devastating drought.
— Vicky Ford (@vickyford) May 15, 2022
