Hargeisa(Mogadishu24)-U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, Richard H. Riley, and Major General Brian Cashman met with Somaliland’s outgoing President Muse Bihi Abdi and President-elect Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) during a visit to Hargeisa.

The discussions celebrated the region’s peaceful and democratic elections held on November 13.

In a statement shared by the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu, Ambassador Riley and Major General Cashman congratulated both leaders on Somaliland’s electoral process and emphasized the importance of advancing peace, stability, and prosperity in the Horn of Africa.

The election saw over 1.2 million Somalilanders cast their votes, with opposition leader Abdirahman Irro securing a decisive victory over incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi in a highly contested race.

The peaceful transfer of power has been praised as a significant democratic milestone for the self-declared republic.

The U.S. reiterated its commitment to supporting Somaliland’s efforts toward sustainable development and regional stability while fostering cooperation in addressing shared challenges.