The results of the region’s fifth presidential election were confirmed by Somaliland’s National Electoral Commission a week after recounts.

Guests who attended the celebration were greeted with a petition, which will be sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, asking for Somaliland’s independence to be recognized.

Bakal said it will be good to get a somewhat younger president in power who will bring fresh ideas on how to develop Somaliland. Abdi is 68 while outgoing president Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud is 86.

Somaliland was previously colonized by the United Kingdom while the rest of Somalia was colonized by Italy.

The recent election had been delayed for two years due to drought and lack of funding. Britain funded the election.

To prevent electoral fraud, iris-recognition technology was used in the elections, Bakal said.

Mohamoud Jama with the Somaliland Cultural Association said in a speech that Somaliland’s democratic elections can serve as an example for the rest of Africa.

"Our people have spoken and expressed their wishes by their votes rather than violence and bombings,” Jama said. "All parties have won in this case there are no winners or losers. We are all winners.”