Somalia is considered one of the least stable countries in the world.

Even 31 years after the end of Siad Barre's dictatorship, the country on the Horn of Africa is plagued by civil war and terrorism, corruption and clan thinking are widespread.

In addition, we are currently experiencing the worst drought in several decades.

In view of this, it is remarkable that a peaceful change of power at the head of state took place on Sunday - for the second time since 2000. A picture from late in the evening after the result had been announced was symbolic: election winner Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his defeated opponent, former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, raised their hands together.

Christian Meier

Political correspondent for the Middle East and Northeast Africa.

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Mohamud is an old acquaintance, he was president from 2012 to 2017.

Five years ago the situation was exactly the opposite, when he had failed in his attempt to be re-elected to Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed.

In the third ballot, Mohamud prevailed against the incumbent with 214 votes to 110.

"We cannot forget the painful past, but we can forgive," said the 66-year-old, who returned to office.

The former university professor promised to unite the country and tackle corruption.

Mohamed, who was voted out, also expressed himself forgivingly: "Let's pray for the new president, it's a very difficult task."

Mortar shells during the first ballot

The circumstances of the election were indicative of the problems that Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will now face.

The police had imposed a curfew in the capital Mogadishu for the entire election day.

During the first ballot, which took place in an airport hangar secured by African Union peacekeeping forces, the sound of mortar shells banging was heard nearby.

No group initially claimed responsibility for the attack;

meanwhile, the al-Shabab militia has repeatedly attempted to disrupt the electoral process.

During his first term in office, Mohamud had failed to contain the jihadist threat;

neither did Mohamed after him.

The United States now wants to become more involved there again.

As the New York Times newspaper reported on Monday, President Joe Biden decided in early May to move several hundred special forces back to Somalia.

They had been withdrawn from there under Donald Trump's predecessor.

The election itself was held according to a complicated, indirect system.

Delegates from the various clans and regional governments of Somalia had chosen 327 MPs over a period of ten months, who then carried out the elections from the 36 candidates.

Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed had promised the Somalis to finally introduce a direct electoral system, but he failed due to resistance from the regions.

When his term of office expired in spring 2021, he had his mandate extended by parliament for two years.

A protracted power struggle followed, including between Mohamed and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble.

A deadline set by the International Monetary Fund would have expired this Tuesday.

Had Somalia failed to present proper government, $400 million in aid would have been frozen.