Former prime minister, a US citizen, wins Somalia vote
A former prime minister who holds dual Somali-US citizenship was declared Somalia's new president Wednesday, 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 clearing major streets.
