By Omar Faruk
Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland on Thursday swore in its new president after last month’s election that gave a boost for the region’s push for international recognition.
The ceremony came a day after Somalia and Ethiopia agreed in Turkey to hold “technical talks” over a dispute sparked by a deal Somaliland made with Ethiopia.
Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, the region’s former opposition leader who was elected in the November vote, became the sixth president of Somaliland, taking over from Muse Bihi Abdi in an inauguration ceremony in the region’s capital, Hargeisa.
In his inaugural address, Abdullahi pledged to strengthen foreign policy and intensify efforts to gain international recognition for Somaliland, citing a “valid legal argument” for its sovereignty.
Somaliland seceded from Somalia more than 30 years ago, but is not recognized by the African Union, the United Nations or any other country as an independent state. Somalia still considers Somaliland part of its
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