Somalia's regional state elects ex-lawmaker as president

Somalia's regional state of Galmudug on Wednesday elected former lawmaker Ahmed Duale Gele Haaf as the new president, replacing Abdikarim Husein Guled who resigned in February due to poor health.

Galmudug Parliament Speaker Ali Gaal Asir said Haaf, who won in the second round of voting, garnered 54 votes against 34 for his rival, Ahmed Sharif Ali Hilowle.

A total of 89 lawmakers voted and one vote was declared spoiled in the parliamentary session which took place in Adado town.

Haaf, a well-known businessman, promised to tackle rampant insecurity in the region and foster relations with the neighboring regional administrations.

He called on warring parties who have been feuding for months to join him in the power sharing to foster peace and reconciliation.

"We take Galmudug State from the ground and we live our neighbors with peace, we will secure and develop our region," said Haaf, who now becomes the second president of Galmudug since 2014, when the regional administration was declared in Adado city in central Somalia.

The election comes as the international partners expressed disappointment over stalled talks between Galmudug state and the moderate Islamist group Ahlu Sunn.

The partners urged all parties to continue the dialogue in good faith and pursue all opportunities to achieve reconciliation and prioritize the establishment of an inclusive administration in Galmudug.

"The partners call on all parties to avoid any actions that could undermine reconciliation efforts, and they stand ready to facilitate the reconciliation process if all parties agree," said envoys from the UN, Africa Union, EU and U.S. in a joint statement on Tuesday.

Observers say the dispute, which started in January and led to a vote to remove the President from office, is potentially destabilizing.

President Abdikarim Guled lost no-confidence vote in Parliament in January after lawmakers criticized him of poor leadership. Endit