Lawmakers elect president who was voted out 5 years ago

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA >> A former Somali president voted out of power in 2017 has been returned to the nation’s top office after defeating the incumbent leader in a protracted contest decided by legislators in a third round of voting late Sunday.

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who served as Somalia’s president between 2012 and 2017, won the contest in the capital, Mogadishu, amid a security lockdown to prevent militant attacks.

“Victory belongs to Somali people, and this is the beginning of the era of unity, the democracy of Somalia and the beginning of the fight against corruption,” Mohamud said after winning the vote. He added that he saw “a daunting task ahead” after winning back authority.

The first round of voting was contested by 36 aspirants, four of whom proceeded to the second round. With no candidate winning at least twothirds of the 328 ballots, voting then went into a third round where a simple majority was enough for a winner.