Somalia elects Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as new president

Somali legislators have elected former leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the country's next president, following a long-overdue election on Sunday in the troubled Horn of Africa nation. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who served as Somalia's president between 2012 and 2017, won the contest in the capital, Mogadishu, amid a security lockdown imposed by authorities to prevent deadly rebel attacks. After a marathon poll, involving 36 candidates, that was broadcast live on state TV, parliamentary officials counted more than 165 votes in favour of former President Mohamud, more than the number required to defeat incumbent President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed. Supporters of Somalia's new leader defied the curfew to pour onto the streets of Mogadishu, cheering and firing guns as it became clear that Mohamud had won the vote.

Al Jazeera's Malcolm Webb reports from the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

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