Former prime minister wins Somalia's presidential vote

A former prime minister who holds dual Somali-US citizenship was declared Somalia's new president today, immediately taking the oath of office as the long-chaotic country moved toward its first fully functioning central government in a quarter-century.

Incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud conceded defeat after two rounds of voting, and former prime minister Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo was declared the new leader. "History was made, we have taken this path to democracy, and now I want to congratulate Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo," Mohamud said.

The election took place under heavy security amid threats from extremist group al-Shabab, with a security lockdown closing the capital's international airport and cleared major streets.
 

Mohamud held a slight lead over Farmajo, 88 votes to 72, after the first round of 21 candidates, but Farmajo held a clear lead after the second round among the three candidates remaining.

Celebratory gunfire rang out in the capital, Mogadishu, from soldiers supporting Farmajo, police said.

"This victory represents the interest of the Somali people. This victory belongs to Somali people, and this is the beginning of the era of the unity, the democracy of Somalia and the beginning of the fight against corruption," Farmajo said after taking the oath.

Years of warlord-led conflict and al-Shabab attacks, along with famine, have left this Horn of Africa country of about 12 million people largely shattered.

Members of the upper and lower houses of the legislature dropped their ballots into clear boxes at the heavily guarded election venue, a former air force base in Mogadishu. Fears al-Shabab attacks limited the election to the lawmakers instead of the population at large.

Across Mogadishu, Somalis gathered around TV screens at cafes and homes, eagerly watching the vote.

"I hope they will not choose bribes over the interest of the people." said Ahmed Hassan, a 26-year-old university student, who sat with dozens of men in front of a large television screen. "We need an honest leader who can help us move forward."

Somalia's instability landed it among the seven Muslim-majority countries affected by President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration, even though its government has been an increasingly important partner for the U.S. Military on counterterrorism efforts, including drone strikes against al-Shabab leaders.